Meet the World’s First Drivable Pickup Truck Made of Ice

To demonstrate that its Motomaster Eliminator Battery will resist temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius (-40 Fahrenheit), retail chain 'Canadian Tire' mounted the battery on a pickup truck made of blocks of ice.

The truck was built by Hensall, Ontario-based Iceculture, a company specializing in ice sculptures, using a real truck chassis and running gear. The team then welded the suspension solid and used 11,000 pounds (4,989kg) of blocks of ice to shape the bodywork.

What’s interesting about the ice pickup truck is that it’s drivable – or at least it was before it melted…

On December 12, 2013, the truck set a world record for “the first self-propelled ice creation to drive”, covering a mile (1.6 kilometers) at an average speed of 20 km/h (12.4 mph).

Scroll down to see the commercial and then to watch an interesting behind the scenes documentary on how the truck was built. There’s also a video of the truck’s testing, another of its world record attempt, and, finally, a reverse video of it… melting.

By Dan Mihalascu

Story References: Canadian Tire via Autoblog-com

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Nissan Has Plans to Double Sports Car Range in Coming Years

Nissan’s Andy Palmer recently announced on the sidelines of the Detroit motor show that the Japanese manufacturer was on track to double its sports car range in the next few years, up from two to four models. The plan is to have new versions to replace the current GT-R and 370Z, as well as a couple of additional cars, previewed by the two IDx and Bladeglider concepts.

Palmer was quoted as saying:

“The IDx will be at one end of the spectrum and the Bladeglider at the other, and in the middle we will have a lower-end sports car and a new GT-R. With the GT-R, we will do a renewal each year and there will be a new one. It will retain the mechanical look of the current car, but with more of the cues from the latest Nissan design. It will still be very aggressive."

In regards to the successor to the 370Z, he said that its powertrain had already been lined up and that it would employ smaller displacement and turbocharging. “There will be normal and Nismo versions” too, he said. The Bladeglider would be a full-electric vehicle, while the production IDx’s possible powertrain choices have already been detailed.

The move on Nissan’s part was reportedly prompted by the strong response they got from the two concepts and the desire from within the company to “find a way of re-engaging with youth who are not interested (in driving and getting their license) at all. I don't want to make these cars attractive to me but to them," according to Palmer.

By Andrei Nedelea

Story References: Just-Auto

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Spy Shots: Ford Focus Hatch and Station Wagon Undergo a Facelift

Ford is applying a makeover to the entire range of its Focus series, which our spies seized in five-door and hatchback forms on separate occasions while undergoing tests in Europe.

The front of the car will take the brunt of the cosmetic touchup, likely adopting Ford's familiar gaping grille that brings to mind Aston Martin models.

The cover-up of the hatchback's other side suggests changes to the rear as well, though, we don't know if they'll be as extensive as the front. Whether Ford will do the same to the tail of the station wagon model remains to be seen, as this prototype did not sport any updates.

Previous spy pictures of the interior indicate a refreshed center console and new buttons on the dashboard.

We've also heard rumors about the return of the high-performance RS model to the range after the presentation of the facelift wearing a tuned version of the 2015 Mustang's 2.3-liter turbocharged engine with somewhere around 350hp.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

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Automotive Industry at the Forefront of Technology, Full Stop

In spite of the fact that the automotive industry is a profit-driven and -making machine, it still inherently brings about technological progress, as companies try to outdo one another. It’s not the best way to bring it about, but at least it sort of works.

In fact, the automotive industry is easily one of the leading sectors and is “frequently a leader,” according to a CAR (Center for Automotive Research) report, quoted by GreenCarCongress.

It acknowledges that it’s difficult to raise one’s head and keep it up given the state of the industry and the ever changing conditions, economic or otherwise, and that some $100 (€73) billion are spent on research globally every year, of which around $18 (€13) billion in the US alone – that equates to $1,200 spent per vehicle.

It also makes up 16 percent of the total worldwide research and development funding, using around 4 percent of its revenues in this way, though that percentage can be and usually is higher.

The study mentions the following:

"The electronics content in modern automobiles has climbed dramatically, enabling the expansion of features that has improved safety, performance, and efficiency. An average vehicle contains around 60 microprocessors to run electric content—four times as many as a decade ago. More than 10 million lines of software code run a typical vehicle’s computer network—more than half the lines of code that reportedly run Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.”

By Andrei Nedelea

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Rumors of Cadillac ATS V with 425hp V6 Turbo and ATS V+ with a V8

The ATS has been garnering a lot of positive attention for Cadillac and consequently, GM as a whole, beginning with the initial launch of the sedan and continuing with the classy-looking Coupe revealed earlier this week. There's still more to come, including different body styles and more importantly, a V version.

Or make that two "V" versions, if we're going to believe a report from Motor Trend magazine that says Cadillac will offer a base ATS V equipped with a slightly uprated version of the CTS V Sport's 3.6-liter V6 making 425 hp, and later on, an ATS V+ (plus) with an even more powerful V8, though, there are no more details on that.

Strangely, the report mentions plans for the availability of three gearboxes, including a seven-speed manual, an eight-speed auto, and a dual-clutch transmission – the latter doesn't exist yet in a production model.

Finally, it's mentioned that the next CTS V won't get the Corvette Z06's supercharged LT4 6.2-liter V8, but a new twin-turbo version of the Corvette’s LT1 V8 " that's also slated for the next Corvette ZR1" – you know, the one that won’t be offered in the C7, according to another recent report…

We probably don't need to tell you, but we will anyway: take all information with a grain or two of salt until we hear something more concrete from an official source.

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Porsche Flaunts New 911 Targa in Latest Promo Video

There’s no doubt that the roof of the Porsche 911 Targa will be the main reason people will buy the car. Why would anyone bother with the 911 Targa when the 911 Coupe promises to offer a sharper driving experience and the 911 Cabriolet a lot more open sky above the passengers’ heads?

A homage to the original 1965 Porsche 911 Targa, the new model really nails it in terms of design – not to mention the sophisticated, but let's be frank, rather pointless roof opening mechanism.

And since you know all the details about the 991 Targa, Porsche released a promotional video whose single purpose is to make you want to buy a 911 Targa. Well, as long as you have set aside $101,600 in the U.S. (the price of the base 911 Targa 4 model) or €109,338 in Germany, Porsche would be more than glad to have you in their showrooms.

Scroll down to watch the Porsche 911 Targa in action.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Spy Shots: New BMW X1 Switches to FWD Platform and Gains 3-Cylinder Engines

The closer BMW edges to being a…Volkswagen brand of this world instead of an exclusively premium manufacturer, the more mainstream some of its products become, and you can see this from the designs to the expansion into popular segments and the adoption of front-wheel drive platforms for models like the X1.

Truth to be told, from a mainstream buyer's perspective, it makes a lot of sense for smaller SUVs and crossovers that won't necessarily be ordered with all-wheel drive to come with a front-wheel drive layout as this solution offers reduced costs, increased fuel economy, less weight and more driver-friendly handling.

As such, the second generation X1, expected to be revealed at next year's Frankfurt Motor Show, will abandon the current model's older (E91) 3-Series Touring's platform with RWD and AWD, switching to the BMW Group's UKL1 architecture shared with the new Mini models like the hatch, which utilizes transversely mounted engines powering the front- or optionally, all-four wheels.

For its motivation, the X1 will also share the same engine lineup with the new Mini range, comprising 1.5-liter three-cylinder and 2.0-liter four-cylinder mills, all turbocharged. Unlike the current model, the new X1 will not be available with six-cylinder engines.

The competition for the X1 when it hits the market in 2016 will include the Mercedes-Benz GLA and Audi Q3, both of which will be offered in the States this year. 

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

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