The Muschallaro: Part Challenger, Part Camaro, Part Mustang

A talented modeler named Robert D. came up with the wacky idea of creating a scale-model that combines elements from the latest editions of Detroit's pony cars: the body of a Chevy Camaro, the front end of a Dodge Challenger and the rear-end of the Ford Mustang. And this here is the result.

"I like the main body of the Camaro better than the Challenger. I like the Challenger front end better than the Camaro. Once the idea was in my head to add Mustang to the equation, it all came together, because I found out pretty quickly that the three could combine into one," Robert stated in a forum for model cars.

We don't have to tell those of that you have ever attempted to make a custom model that it's easier said than done. Nevertheless, after four painstaking months of work, Robert pulled it off.

And even if you disagree with the aesthetics or the parts of the three muscle cars that were chosen for the model, you can't but admire the result from a technical point of view.

Now, any ideas what the tri-pony car should be named?

Source: Fotki , Via: Model Cars and Car Domain - Thanks for the tip Marcus!

Want to Learn About VW at the 2010 Dakar Rally ? There's an App For That Too

In anticipation of the 2010 Dakar Rally that leads through Argentina and Chile from 2 to 16 January 2010, Volkswagen has launched a new iPhone application for the event. Named "Volkswagen Rally mobile – 2010 Dakar", the free of charge app will send news, results, videos and background information on the German firm's five factory-prepped and -fielded Race Touaregs directly to the user's iPhone display.

"Volkswagen has always stood for innovations in motorsport," said the German automaker's motorsport director, Kris Nissen.

"The iPhone application for the Volkswagen's involvement in the Dakar is unique in the world of rally racing to date as well and offers users of the cult mobile the chance to stay informed about current Dakar events around the clock."

Those of you interested can download the application directly from Apple's online store at www.volkswagen-motorsport.com/dakar_iPhone

Most Useless Accessory Ever? LCD Screens Mounted on the Fascia of the Rear Headrests...

Let's say that we comprehend the need or rather the use of a pair of LCD screens fitted on the back of the front headrests. But could someone please explain to us the purpose of the two additional screens mounted on the fascia of the rear headrests in this 2003 BMW M3 Convertible that's up for sale on Craigslist? And while you're at it, try to figure out the position of the remaining three LCD screens that the buyer claims are featured on the bimmer.

Link: Craigslist

Volkswagen Introduces LED Rear Lights for the Golf R, GTI and GTD

Over the past few years, LEDs have worked their way into automotive lighting, initially on high-end luxury and sports cars, but lately, on an increasing number of mainstream vehicles. In what the company claims to be a 'first' in the compact segment, Volkswagen has developed new LED rear lights for the sportiest variants of the Golf VI.

Initially, the LED tail lamps will be offered as standard on the recently revealed 270HP Golf R and as an option for €350 or approximately US$520 on the 210HP Golf GTI and its diesel-sibling, the 170HP Golf GTD.

Volkswagen said that each smoked rear light consists of two curved right angles, each angle containing eleven LEDs plus one central LED above each curve. If you do the math, that comes to a total of 48 LEDs.

Aside from the cool-look factor, the LED rear lights are practically maintenance-free and extremely fast with their response time to brake activation said to be 0.2 second faster than that of conventional incandescent lights. The company said that this time difference translates to 5.6 meters braking distance at a speed of 100 km/h or 62mph.

Golf buyers can combine the LED tail lights with bi-xenon head lights with dynamic cornering light that vary the lighting direction as a function of the steering angle. The headlamps are standard on the Golf R and optional on all other Golf models with prices starting from €1,295 (US$1,900).

The Ultimate Gaming Machine: Japanese Tuner Rigs Playstation onto a BMW M3 E30 Racer

What a better place for bimmer enthusiasts to play Sony's acclaimed Gran Turismo video game than inside a BMW M3 E30 racer? Paraphrasing the Bavarian firm's well known motto, 'The Ultimate Gaming Machine' is the work of Studie AG, one of Japan's leading BMW tuning specialists. The specially rigged M3 is on display along with many other uber cool items such as the chess set with pieces made out of bolts, nuts and spark plugs at the company's Yokohama shop. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. More photos after the break.

Source / Pictures: Gawa , Via: Vwvortex

Brits Designing 100mph Lawn Mower to Break Guinness World Speed Record

A group of British enthusiasts are designing a special lawn mower based on a Countax product hoping to break the record for the world's fastest grass cutter. The project is the brainchild of Stephen Vokins from the Beaulieu Estate which is widely known for being the home to the National Motor Museum. The Brits aim to break the current record of 81 mph (130 km/h - see video after the jump) set in 2006 by Bob Cleveland from the USA by creating the first lawnmower to reach 100mph.

"I saw a video of American, Bob Cleveland on YouTube setting the record for lawnmowers at an impressive 80.792mph on Bonneville Salt Flats," said Vokins. "I was greatly impressed, but felt with the right team, 100mph should be possible."

"This is a proper record, and building a lawnmower capable of speeds well into 3 figures is no easy feat undertaken in an afternoon. For a start, it still has to be a lawnmower, capable of cutting grass properly. And then it has to obey the laws of physics that will try to stop it going so fast, both through drag and also aerodynamics. There is a real danger that if the aerodynamics are wrong, it will flip up in the air, with disastrous results", Votkins added.

The modified lawn mower will be driven by Don Wales at the Pendine Sands on February 27, 2010.

In order for the team to qualify the lawnmower in the Guinness World of Records, the regulations state that it has to be a proper lawnmower, built by a recognized (lawnmower) manufacturer, using mostly lawnmower parts, and it has to cut grass on the day of the record.

Autonomous Audi TTS Takes Driving Out of the Equation [with Video and Photos]

This here is the Autonomous Audi TTS, a research model for a car that does away with the driver altogether in order to explore the best capabilities of current and future driver assistance technologies. The prototype car is the collaborative work of the Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL), the Stanford University Dynamics Design Lab (SDDL) and Sun Microsystems.

Nicknamed after Michelle Mouton, one of the most successful female rally drivers ever, the Autonomous TTS is equipped with a fully automated drive-by-wire system that controls the steering, throttle, brakes, gearbox and parking brake as well as a special GPS system to help communicate with the piloting software developed by the researches over at Standford University.

The software package is what enables the vehicle to drive at the limits of handling in various speeds and conditions on a range of surfaces.

While Audi doesn't intend to use the Autonomous TTS to completely substitute the driver (or at least we hope it doesn't...), the company says that the technology found in the car could help dramatically reduce the number of fatalities worldwide by intervening in hazardous situations as well as to take over routine driving tasks such as parking the car in an assigned spot in a garage.

The prototype model is still in the testing phase but if all goes well, Audi is considering a run up at Colorado's famous Pikes Peak to replicate the 12.4-mile Pikes Peak International Hill Climb sometime in the first quarter of 2010.

Kids Build Full-Scale BMW X1 Replica Made out of LEGO Blocks

As everyone who has played with the famous colored bricks knows, with LEGO, nothing is impossible. Not even a full-size replica of a BMW X1 that was created by 800 children aged between 5 and 13 years old (with a little help from the Bavarian automaker's staff of course) who visited the BMW Welt in Munich last week. The build of the yellow-colored X1 took four days and approximately 165,000 LEGO bricks to complete.

The project was not only fun for the young participants but also served a good cause as for every LEGO block that was used, BMW donated a specific amount of money to the Munich children's foundation "Die Arche".

The finished X1 replica made out of LEGO bricks will go on display for the public to see alongside the automaker's real-life vehicles at the BMW Welt Plaza, from November 25.