VIDEO: Le Casse, A Mad Cap Car Chase through the Streets Of 1970’s Athens

Ah, the ‘70s. We had the Oil Crisis and Watergate, microwave ovens and VCRs, Maggie Thatcher and Jimmy Carter. As for cars, well: there were the greats like the Lamborghini Countach, Datsun 240Z and the Dodge Charger. Then there were the not-so-greats like the AMC Pacer, Chevy Chevette and the Ford Mustang Cobra II.

It was the decade that brought us The French Connection, Gone in 60 Seconds and Smokey and the Bandit. It also brought us a relatively unknown (well, to my –ahem- clearly sophisticated tastes) French film called Le Casse (The Burglars).

Oh sure, Bullitt had Steve McQueen in a Mustang and Goldfinger had Sean Connery in a DB5, but you ain’t ever seen a film so brazen to put Omar Sharif behind the wheel of...an Opel Rekord. Well, he is the villain. Surely our hero, Jean-Paul Belmondo, will get to drive something a bit smarter.

“Like a Fiat 124 Special?”

Actually, that wasn’t what I was thinking but that is what Belmondo is driving. Don’t despair though, as this video clip of the infamous car chase from the movie more than makes up for the poor choice of vehicles. Think of it as Ronin, that Robert De Niro movie from a few years back, if it were filmed in French and in Athens circa 1970. It really has to be seen to be believed. Check it out below.

By Tristan Hankins

Hat tip goes to Chris!

VIDEO

SCOOP: Production Version of Opel Zafira Tourer Concept getting Ready for Frankfurt Show Debut

At this month’s Geneva Motor Show, Opel previewed the next generation of its 7-seater MPV model through the Zafira Tourer Concept. Now, our spies have snagged some new photos of the production version rolling around in Germany as Opel puts the final touches on the compact minivan before its world premiere at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.

Being that that Geneva show Zafira was more of a pre-production model than a pure concept, few things appear to have changed on the outside. These include the smaller size and less snazzy alloy wheels, the larger but obviously more practical for everyday use exterior mirrors, the redesigned tail lamps and the more mundane tail pipe designs.

Even though we don’t have any new photos of the interior, expect the styling and the materials used in the cabin to be toned down compared to the concept model. The new Zafira will get a revamped version of Opel’s trademark Flex7 seating with a new system that allows the middle row of seats to fold flat into the floor.

Power for the new Zafira will come from a suite of turbocharged diesel and petrol engines, including more eco-friendly and frugal EcoFlex versions and possibly even a sporty OPC (VRX for the Vauxhall-badged model) variant with a high-output four-cylinder gasoline turbo.

PHOTO GALLERY

2011 Honda Civic: Fuel Leak Fears Prompts Recall in the USA

A defective fuel pump module is to blame for the latest Honda recall that affects 18,056 Civics from the 2011 model year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], the roll-over valve inside certain fuel pump modules may have been damaged during production and could cause fuel leakage in the event of a roll-over incident. The safety agency said no crashes or injuries have been reported in relation to this defect.

The Japanese firm’s dealers will inspect the fuel pump module and if necessary replace it free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before April 11, 2011. Concerned owners may contact Honda’s customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

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VIDEOS: 2012 VW Tiguan Facelift and Golf Cabriolet Mk6

First shown in Geneva earlier this month, Volkswagen has now released video footage of its restyled Tiguan and all-new Golf Cabriolet. The short film dedicated to the compact SUV model depicts both versions of the Tiguan, one for on-road use and one with increased capabilities for off-road driving. The Golf Cabriolet video has a more laid-back, romantic approach, featuring a couple joyriding in the open top car on a sunny day. You can get a closer look at both models by watching the videos below the fold.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEOS

So this is Music Nowadays: Apparatjik and Smart Collaborate with a Disco Ball Smart ForTwo [with Video]

When I say, “Apparatjik,” you say, “Gesundheit”. Why? Because no doubt you, like me, had not even heard of these guys until today. Apparatjik are an electro band from Europe that describes their music as, no joke, “combat-disco”. Oh how I wish I was making this up. Anyways, for the band’s latest art-exhibition-cum-live-show Smart – yes, the same one that makes those piddling little city cars – took one of their ForTwo EV’s and covered it with a mosaic of mirrors.

I guess it must be artsy or something. As Michael Fischer, a spokesperson for Smart and someone who probably understands Appartjik about as well as you or I, explains:

“It’s not their approach to deliver a perfect piece of art or a perfect piece of music. It’s a very conceptual project. It’s not like a regular band. They play in a cube.”

Okay, then. What is interesting is the band features Guy Berryman, Coldplay’s bassist and a-ha’s (remember a-ha?) guitarist / keyboardist Magne Furuholmen. Fischer continues:

“The band came up with the idea of doing the movie with the car. They are all eco-conscious. Magne was driving an electric car 20 years ago in Norway.”

The car features in a music video short film as part of the pseudo-band’s “Apparatjik Light Space Modulator” display at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin. It’s intended as a tribute to German architect Mies van der Rohe, who was responsible not only for the gallery itself but also for New York’s Seagram Building, among others.

The actual car will be on display at Berlin’s Soho House Hotel, along with a live stream of the band’s exhibit until March 27th of this year. Check out our gallery of the car and Smart’s ElectriCITY video featuring Apparatjik’s music below, and leave a comment if you wish.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Smart via NYT

VIDEO

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Jaguar Recalling More than 6,000 XF Saloons and XK Sports Cars in the USA for Corrosion Problems

We just got word that Jaguar has released a recall notice today that affects certain 2010MY XF saloons and XK sports cars over a potential issue with the power assist steering system. In a document filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], Jaguar said that the power assist steering (pas) pipes have been assembled with zinc-nickel plating that may not provide corrosion protection.

The company added that over time, corrosion of the pas pipes may lead to pin-holing of the pipe allowing pressurized power steering fluid to leak into the under-hood and engine bay area. Jaguar said that aside from causing a loss of power assist steering, the leaked fluid may also ignite if it comes into contact with an ignition source or a hot surface leading to a vehicle fire.

The recall affects a total of 6,085 cars in the USA including 1,540 XKs and 4,545 XFs, manufactured from June 27, 2009, through March 10, 2010.

Under the recall, which is expected to begin on or before April 11, 2011, Jaguar’s technicians at dealerships will replace the power steering fluid pipes with parts manufactured to the required corrosion protection specification free of charge.

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Porsche to Tackle 24h of Nürburgring with 911 GT3 R Hybrid Version 2.0

Porsche will mark its return to this year’s edition of the Nürburgring 24 hour race on June 25 with a newer version of its 911 GT3 R Hybrid that is more powerful yet lighter and more fuel efficient than its predecessor.

The 2011 edition of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid carries the geeky ‘Version 2.0’ moniker, and keeps the general layout of the 2010 model. The racer’s hybrid powertrain comprises of a 470HP 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine at the rear and two electric motors driving the front wheels.

In the Version 2.0, the output of both electric motors has increased from 60kW (80HP) to 75 kilowatts (100HP) each, meaning that seconds at a time, pilots will now have an additional 200HP at their disposal.

According to Porsche, the extra power is automatically activated through use of the throttle pedal and can be very useful when overtaking.

Porsche has also optimized the hybrid system with the electric flywheel accumulator that stores energy now housed with the other hybrid components in a carbon fibre safety cell on the passenger’s side.

In addition, thanks to the optimisation of the hybrid system’s high voltage components, the large louvres in front of the rear fenders were no longer necessary. The Germany company claims that these changes help reduce drag and lowers fuel consumption.

All in all, Porsche’s engineers managed to reduce the weight of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid from 1,350kg (2,976 lbs) to 1,300 kilograms (2,866 lbs).

“The emphasis of our work was on improving efficiency,” says Hartmut Kristen, head of Porsche motorsport. “That means we want to keep the lap times consis-tent with 2010 but use less energy, hence less fuel. In this way, we support future developments of road-going, sporting hybrid vehicles.”

Other changes for the 2011 model include the thoroughly updated cockpit as most of the displays and controls have moved to the steering wheel. According to Porsche, drivers can operate the rest of the functions via backlit buttons now situated on the centre console.

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