Meet the man Who Built cars for F-7

Summer brings with it an onslaught of the year's biggest movies featuring some of Hollywood's brightest celebrities. But not all of the most memorable on-screen characters have been played by actors or actresses. The Dodge Charger in the "The Fast and the Furious" flicks, the Batmobile, and Green Hornet's Black Beauty are just some of the vehicles that carjacked the limelight from their bipedal counterparts. Behind every big car build is an even bigger car guy. In the case of those three automotive stars, it's Dennis McCarthy. McCarthy, the owner of Vehicle Effects, has worked on a number of films as a Picture Car and Transportation Coordinator. "Taken 3," "Man of Steel," "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," "Total Recall," "The Green Hornet" -- his IMDB credits are every car guy-slash-geek's fantasy. With a shop located in Sun Valley -- 10 miles north of Hollywood -- McCarthy's crew of mechanics, fabricators, and designers build custom cars from the ground up. Whatever the studio's vehicular imagination, Dennis sees it to real-world fruition. Now that "Furious 7" is upon us, get to know the man responsible for the cars from the past five films. 

Dennis McCarthy

How did you get into the picture car business? 
Back in 1990, I opened up a shop in Burbank where I did a lot of hot rod and custom car builds. I started to do mechanical and maintenance service for Disney and NBC vehicles, and after a while, I was introduced to producers for my work. The first feature film I worked on was "Dragonfly" with Kevin Costner where I modified a bus to be able to handle off-road duties. After that, I got a call from Universal to work on the cars from "Bruce Almighty," and that's when picture cars turned into a full-time job.

 When it comes to picking car makes and models for a FF film, what goes into the consideration process? It's mostly character-driven. I want a fan to see a photo of a car before watching the film and be able to identify who would be driving it. The car also needs to match the geographical look and capability of where we're filming.

Fast and Furious films seem to try to outdo the last. What's the biggest stunt in the seventh? 
"Fast and Furious" always goes big. One of the most challenging scenes in "Furious 7" was an epic off-road sequence that takes place on a mountain pass. The cars had to withstand abuse that is typical of a Baja desert race.



 Which vehicle required the most extensive build? 
Dom's off-road Charger from the mountain scene. It's basically a trophy truck built from scratch that's been made to look like a Dodge. The only part that's Charger is the roof and A- and B-pillars. We had three months to build seven of them, and it took all three months. 

What's the most painful car you had to wreck?
 The off-road Chargers. Only one of the seven survived. I still have nightmares about their demise.

 In this film, cars fly. Why and how'd you make that happen? The why part comes from Chris Morgan, the writer. How it happened was a combination of stunts and visual and digital effects.

 

If you could describe Walker using three words, what would they be? 
Genuine. Caring. And, again, true friend. 

Of the 30 films to your credit, do you have a favorite one, or is it like picking a favorite child? 
The "Fast and Furious" films are my favorites. There is no other franchise that puts more effort into featuring the best possible vehicles. 

If you could upload only one movie on your phone -- a film you didn't work on -- what would it be? 
One of my favorite childhood films is "The Gumball Rally." The best part is when the Ferrari Daytona races the AC Cobra down the L.A. River. 

If you could take any car home from the FF films, which one would it be? 
I love the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona from "Fast & Furious 6." It's basically my interpretation of what a Daytona should be, nose pulled back, rear wing dropped a bit, and the numerous other subtle touches that give it a more streamlined look. That Daytona would look great parked in my garage.

Original Article Published In MotorTrend

LAMBORGHINI ASTERION- THE NEW HYBRID

Lamborghini is used to attention. Even near the headquarters locals will drop what they're doing to check out the latest fighter-jet-inspired supercar. The Asterion concept, though, will be grabbing more attention than any recent Lamborghini, and debuts at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. Some will gawk at the new shape, which has far more in common with the brand's GT cars of the 1970s than anything it's done since. The upright windshield, low hood, and long, sloping deck offer hints of the Jarama, Espada, Urraco, and even Miura. Many, though, will be far more interested in what's under that hexagonal rear glass. As you might've guessed, there's a 602-hp 5.2-liter V-10 producing 413 lb-ft of torque under there, but that's just the beginning. Between the V-10 and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is an electric motor that serves as power booster, starter, and generator. Ahead of the engine is not a driveshaft for the front axle, as in a traditional Lamborghini, but a lithium-ion battery pack. That doesn't mean the front wheels are unpowered, however. Up front are two electric motors, each driving a wheel. Together, Lamborghini says the electric bits produce 295 hp. Altogether, the Italians say the Asterion produces 897 hp and will hit 62 mph from a stop in 3.0 seconds flat (which is probably conservative) on its way to a 199 mph top speed.

As if a plug-in hybrid that doesn't look like a doorstop wasn't enough of a deviation from modern Lamborghini dogma, the Asterion doesn't take its name from a fighting bull, either. Rather, Asterion is the proper name of the half-man, half-bull beast known colloquially as the Minotaur in ancient Greek mythology. Lamborghini says the name was chosen in keeping with its tradition of naming its cars after bulls, but with an added twist symbolic of the plug-in hybrid powertrain. As the company puts it, "the strength of a bull delivered by the naturally aspirated engine is combined with the human rationale delivered by the hybrid technology." Unfortunately, Lamborghini seems to be confusing the Minotaur, which had the body of a man and the head of a bull, with the Centaur, which had the body of a horse and torso and head of a man. Lamborghini sources tell us the Asterion isn't for sale, though we suspect if it's well-received, it will be. Lamborghini says the technology is available today and would put a serious dent in the company's fuel economy and emissions problems, which aren't going away as governments worldwide tighten their regulations. Given the availability of the technology in the vast Volkswagen Auto Group parts bin, Lamborghini would likely be able to put the car into production relatively quickly. If that happens, we expect a price tag well above the Huracan's almost $240,000 starting point.

C63 AMG Mercedes-Benz

We were big fans of the C63 AMG and its naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V-8. But all good things must come to an end. The C63 AMG is dead. Long live the 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63.

FRONT VIEW 

 No, that's not a typo. Mercedes is following through with what it started with the Mercedes-AMG GT, dropping the "Benz" and replacing it with the name of its Affalterbach-based tuning arm. Though its name has changed, the C63 is still a C-Class stuffed with a V-8 engine -- just not the M156 we fell in love with. As we first heard this year in Geneva, that engine has been replaced by the M177, a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 that Mercedes says is a close relative of the M178 found in the Mercedes-AMG GT. The engine in the standard C63 makes 469 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, which is more than the base GT's 456 hp and 443 lb-ft. The C63 S model makes the same 503 hp as the GT S, but significantly more torque at 516 lb-ft (compared to the GT S' 479 lb-ft). Both 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 variants route power to the rear wheels via an AMG Speedshift MCT seven-speed automatic transmission. 


Just like the GT, the C63 tucks its two turbochargers inside the V-8's valley. This makes the powertrain more compact and also optimizes responsiveness. In addition, the C63 gets the GT's dynamic engine mounts, which can vary their stiffness depending on driving conditions. Also variable is the sound emitted from the C63's four tailpipes. A standard sports exhaust system uses an electronically controlled exhaust flap to alternate between a low-key hum for long-distance driving and a more visceral sound for spirited canyon romps. For even more aural control, a performance exhaust system is available with three electronic flaps. Mercedes claims the C63 will be the most efficient eight-cylinder car in the high-performance segment. Helping in that mission is a new "Gliding Function," which can decouple the engine from the drivetrain if the driver lifts off the throttle between 37 and 99 mph. The automaker says that the new C63 consumes roughly 32 percent less fuel than its predecessor. 


As you might expect, the C63 looks like a standard C-Class with the usual AMG visual tweaks applied. The car gets AMG's "A-wing" front valance, as well as a front splitter for improved downforce. In back is a rear diffuser insert with three fins, which fills the gap between the characteristic AMG quad exhaust tips. The C63's interior is what visually sets it apart the most from its lesser C-Class siblings. A three-spoke, flat-bottom steering wheel features a red strip that marks the 12:00 position and is placed in front of a two-binnacle gauge cluster with carbon weave-pattern dials. That carbon theme continues on the center stack, which features an IWC analog clock, AMG Dynamic Select switch, COMAND touchpad, and other controls specific to AMG models. Sports seats upholstered in MB-Tex vinyl and Dinamica microfiber come standard, while performance seats with more bolstering and a lower seating position are available. 


Price Range: $38,400 - $63,000

2015 Hyundai Genesis 5.0

LOGO GENESIS

 
When Hyundai launched the Genesis sedan in 2008, we all snickered at the absurdity of a luxury sedan with a Hyundai badge on the grill and steering wheel, but I quietly hoped that it would be good. After all, it's fun to root for the underdog. Watching Hyundai go up against established luxury brands was as fun as watching Daniel LaRusso take on Cobra Kai Jonny at the end of "The Karate Kid." And when the first generation Genesis turned out to be pretty good, it was just as satisfying.

3/4 VIEW OF GENESIS

After a few model years of revisions and evolution, the Genesis sedan has returned for a second generation. However, unlike "The Next Karate Kid" or "The Karate Kid" (2010), this reboot is even better than the original. The automaker gives us more of everything we liked about the original with a few clever surprises here and there. The sedan is also more attractive than ever with a new, bolder exterior design more befitting of its luxury aim.

INTERIOR GENESIS

 
When it comes to sequels, Hollywood could stand to learn a few things from this 2015 Hyundai Genesis Sedan 5.0.
The heart of the Genesis sedan carries over largely unchanged for the 2015 model year. It's still a Tau 5.0-liter V-8 engine with direct injection from the 2014 R-Spec model. It's still mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission in a rear wheel drive configuration. However, the 2015 Genesis Sedan 5.0 is rated at 420 hp and 383 pound-feet of torque. That's down 1 horsepower from the old R-Spec, but up 18 pound-feet on Regular fuel.

FRONT VIEW

 The eight-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission is one of the better slushboxes on the market with smooth, but quick shift sand some pretty good intelligence about its gear selection. The computer takes into account when the vehicle is headed uphill or down, whether you're braking hard for a corner or whether you're cruising on the freeway and seems to avoid the guess and check hunting that plagues many autoboxes. There's also a manual shift mode with standard paddle shifters for those moments where you'd rather do ratio selection for yourself.
On the road, the Genesis feels heavy, but appropriately so. Even with its drive mode and suspension set to their sportiest, the 4,541 pound land yacht will never be a dancer, but it remains comfortable no matter how hard you toss it, which is really more of the point.


Like the chassis, the engine also feels powerful, but heavy. The V-8 torque is available from pretty low in the powerband, which is good because the powertrain time to build steam before its power becomes apparent. Imagine a surge of power rather than a neck-snapping bang. Give it time to build steam and this engine gearbox combo will hum along happily and quietly at extra-legal freeway speeds without much, if any, effort.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata

The wait for the 2016 Mazda Miata is over. The fourth-generation roadster was revealed on 3rd September at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, with popular '80s band Duran Duran providing the soundtrack. These images give us our first glimpse at the iconic sports car.

MAZADA MIATA FRONT VIEW

 The 2016 MX-5 ditches the smiley front end of the outgoing generation for a decidedly less friendly-looking Kodofied face. Overall, the car is wider and lower than the model it replaces, with a hood that's "impossibly low," according to Mazda design director Derek Jenkins, thanks to an engine that's mounted as low as possible. Unlike the current car's relatively flat hood, the 2016 model's bonnet features more curves, which flow into the fenders and across the doors until finally angling up over the rear fenders. The front fenders were pulled back to give the car a more cab-rearward look. The rear end features a dramatic taper, which helps accentuate the wide fenders and redesigned taillights. The 2016 MX-5 gets full LED headlights, LED fog lights, and LED daytime running lights. Unlike other vehicles in Mazda's range, the Miata won't sport any chrome exterior trim. The new 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata brings the roadster back to its roots, with an even more driver-focused experience. Now paired with a Skyactiv drivetrain, the new Miata offers a balance of performance and efficiency. A new chassis is said to be 14 percent lighter than before, yet stronger and more rigid. In total, the 2016 MX-5 Miata is 220.5 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Mazda tells us curb weight is well under 3000 pounds, and we've heard it could be as low as 2250 pounds. The last soft-top MX-5 Club we tested tipped the scales at 2482 pounds, so that number might not be too far off given Mazda's weight loss estimate. Mazda also says the 2016 model is the most compact of any Miata generation. The added stiffness of the chassis combined with a revised suspension improves handling, though we'll have to wait until we can get behind the wheel of a new Miata to find out how much.

OPEN AIR AND INTERIOR DASHBOARD 

The fourth-gen Miata will go on sale in 2015 as a 2016 model. We're hearing the car will arrive nearly a year from its debut. Pricing has yet to be announced, but hopefully won't increase much over the outgoing 2015 Mazda MX-5's $24,765 starting price (US).

Starting at $23,795, the 2015 Toyota Camry LE

FRONT VIEW 

Pricing for the edgier-looking 2015 Toyota Camry, which goes on sale later this month, has been revealed. The base 2015 Camry LE with the 2.5-liter I-4 starts at $23,795 (including $825 destination), while the top-of-the-line 2015 Camry XLE and XSE trims with the 3.5-liter V-6 are priced from $32,195. The 2015 Camry Hybrid starts at $27,615.

Starting at $23,795, the 2015 Toyota Camry LE features eight-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar, shift lever boot with contrast stitching, satin chrome interior accents, passenger window auto up and down, chrome front grille and rear trunk trim, and heated outside mirrors.

The $24,665 2015 Toyota Camry SE adds a smoked chrome grille and trunk trim as well as a standard 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display and direct tire pressure monitor system. All 2015 Camry LE and SE models are powered by a 178-hp, 170-lb-ft 2.5-liter I-4 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain combo is EPA-rated at 25/35 mpg city/highway.

Tail Light Camry XSE

With the 2.5-liter engine, the 2015 Toyota Camry XLE starts at $26,975. Additional features include leather seating with heated front seats and a four-way front power front passenger seat, Toyota’s Entune Audio Plus multimedia system, LED daytime running lights, and 17-inch chrome finish alloy wheels. Also starting at $26,975, the 2015 Toyota Camry XSE adds leather seating with Ultrasuede inserts and 18-inch alloy wheels with a machined face and black paint. The 2015 Toyota Camry XLE and XSE with the 268-hp 3.5-liter V-6 both start at $32,195. In addition to the more powerful engine, the XLE and XSE with V-6 gain standard LED high and low beam headlights, Smart Key entry, Entune Premium Audio with Navigation and App Suite including a 7.0-inch touchscreen, power moonroof, wireless charging, and more.

BAck View 

Justine Kurland’s Haunting Photographs of Men and Cars

For more than a decade, Justine Kurland has taken photographs during annual cross-country journeys from New York to the Pacific Northwest that reveal the double-edged nature of the American dream. A lifelong nomad (she grew up traveling to Renaissance festivals, where her mother sold hand-sewn clothes), her tools are her 4×5 camera and her van, which allow her to dwell, briefly, in the worlds of the marginal figures she photographs. First, there were the girls she cast as runaways, forging into forests and swimming holes. Later came images of commune members in wilderness idylls and panoramas of westbound freighters and the hobos who ride them.

Tomorrow, Kurland’s first New York solo exhibition in five years, “Sincere Auto Care,” opens at Mitchell-Innes & Nash. Named after a Nebraska garage, it explores the culture of cars and the men who drive and work on them. A disembodied wrist rests on a rusted hood, cradling a cigarette; a teenager loiters by a sign that reads “No Loitering”; tattooed mechanics bend over their work. And yet in the mix of paint, chrome and grime that coats these scenes, a beautiful order prevails, in the symmetry of used tires hung on hooks, the fantasy of a pair of ferocious tigers painted on a hood and the way one part of a motor fits into another.

2015 Audi A3 e-tron Prototype

It's no longer strange to mention the words "sporty" and "hybrid" in the same sentence, and that's exactly how Audi describes the 2015 A3 e-tron. Shortly after Audi showed off the plug-in hybrid hatchback at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show, the automaker invited us for a quick spin in a prototype that is just a few tweaks away from production-ready. We first drove an A3 e-tron prototype following the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, and Audi says the car's transmission has been tinkered with since then.

AUDI A3 

To recap, the A3 e-tron's hybrid system includes a 1.4-liter turbo-four gasoline engine rated at 148 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. An electric motor produces 55 hp and 243 lb-ft, while a six-speed dual-clutch automatic is tasked with putting that power to the front wheels. Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system won't be available. Most of our time with the 2015 Audi A3 e-tron prototype was spent in and around Malibu canyons. We've driven many Audis through these roads, so it was a perfect spot to see just how sporty the A3 e-tron drives compared to some of our brand favorites including the S4. My driving chaperone -- Heiko Pabst von Ohain, head of product marketing for the A3 -- said that engineers still need to perform more tweaks to the transmission's software, and that became apparent twice during the drive. The incidents were nothing more than slightly rough shifts, including an upshift in pure EV mode and a jolting downshift when the gas engine and electric motor provided motivation up a slight incline in the canyons. Otherwise, the gearbox behaved admirably, providing the smooth and quick shifts we've become accustomed to in other Audis packing a dual-clutch unit.

More on Hottrak:-  Cars can be hacked Now

The A3 e-tron's estimated curb weight is 3483 pounds, with 661 of them attributed to the 8.8 kW-hr battery and other hybrid components. That said, the automaker claims the hatch will run from 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds, though the A3 e-tron felt much quicker. The torque-rich electric motor provides plenty of oomph before the gas engine is summoned.Pressing the center stack's EV button cycles through three drive modes, with the first being an all-EV mode. On a full charge, EV mode provides a manufacturer-estimated 33 miles of range that increases or decreases depending on driving conditions. The gas engine will still kick in if needed, though it doesn't do so unless your right foot is essentially mashing the pedal. The second mode is called Hybrid, though it didn't seem much different from EV mode, especially during slow city driving. Finally, a Hold mode retains the battery's current charge and range

A3 INTERIOR 

Compared to the outgoing model, the 2015 A3 e-tron's interior has a more minimalist feel with improved materials. The climate control stack has been simplified, while the infotainment screen now sits atop the dashboard and retracts at the push of a button. We didn't have much time to test out the MMI system, though the switches are improved and the top of the rotary knob can be had with a fancy handwriting recognition pad, similar to the one in the A8. Another neat feature is the circular air vents, which can be adjusted to provide either diffused or concentrated streams of air flow (Pabst von Ohain is unsure if this feature will make it to U.S.-spec cars). With the addition of a plug-in hybrid system, the 2015 Audi A3 will have one of the brand's most varied powertrain lineups. The sedan, for example, can be had with two turbocharged gas I-4s or a diesel engine, while the high-performance S3 will get its own potent inline-four. Thanks to its combination of efficiency, comfort, and a relatively fun-to-drive experience, based on our short time driving the A3 e-tron, the car should be a solid seller for the environmentally-minded luxury audience.

Freelander 2 Sterling Edition @ Rs. 44.41 Lakhs

A new edition of the Freelander 2. Priced at Rs 44.41 lakh (ex-Delhi, pre-octroi), the Sterling Edition will be sold in limited numbers.

FREELANDER 2 

It’s powered by the same 2.2-litre diesel that goes into the regular variants and belts out 150PS and 400Nm. So the changes are purely cosmetic – the car runs 17-inch five-split spoke alloys with anthracite finish and gets Dark Atlas grille, fender and side vents. If you’re following one on the road, its tail gate spoiler and the shiny finish on the single tail pipe will give it away.

These details have been added in the interest of attracting customers willing to spend a little extra on sportier looks and of course, the premium value that comes with a limited edition model. As Jaguar Land Rover India vice president, Rohit Suri said, “We are excited to introduce the new Freelander 2 Sterling Edition. It will further endear the hugely popular model to our young and sophisticated customers looking to own an exclusive Land Rover with enhanced sporty looks.”

AVAILABLE IN TWO POWER VARIANT 186 bhp AND 147 bhp

The ‘little’ extra that this edition costs over the top HSE variant is Rs 49,000. Do let us know if you’re planning to get your hands on one.

Rohit Suri, Vice President, Jaguar Land Rover India, said:
“We are excited to introduce the new Freelander 2 Sterling Edition. It will further endear the hugely popular model to our young and sophisticated customers looking to own an exclusive Land Rover with enhanced sporty looks.”

Freelander 2 Sterling Edition comes equipped with sporty exterior features such as 17” Five-Split Spoke alloy wheel with anthracite finish, dark atlas grille, dark atlas fender and side vents, tailgate spoiler, front and rear apron, lower door claddings and a single tail pipe with bright finish.

Toyota will expand active safety systems to entire U.S.

Toyota Division plans to make active safety technology -- including anti-collision systems -- available throughout its entire U.S. lineup by 2017, said Bill Fay, Toyota Division’s general manager.

Speaking on the sidelines of a safety presentation here, Fay told reporters Wednesday that the automaker would start its rollout in the 2015 model year.

Fay was vague on details, but hinted that Toyota would gain access to anti-collision systems that Lexus already has introduced.

TOYOTA MADE A BIG DECISION AND IT IS GOING TO BE PRODUCTIVE

For example, Lexus features a “Pre-Collision System” that uses radar and cameras to detect an imminent frontal collision, then warns the driver, tightens the seat belts and boosts braking pressure. If the driver fails to respond, the system can hit the brakes to reduce the impact.

Elements of Lexus’ safety technology will be adapted for Toyota Division’s lineup, Fay noted.

“It’s going to vary by product,” Fay said. “It will mostly be technology that we have available now” in the Lexus lineup. “We’ll build some technologies around that, and start rolling it out next year.”

Mercedes-Benz to launch the new E 350 CDI on September 11

Come September and the new E 350 CDI hits Mercedes-Benz showrooms across India. The launch that has been slotted for September 11 will be held in Pune.

Mercedes-Benz E 350 CDI 

Powered by a 6-cylinder engine that churns out 302PS and comes mated with a 7-speed automatic gearbox, the new E 350 CDI will feature a host of safety and driver assist programmes like Collision Prevention Assistance, Brake Assist and Driver Attention Assist. Mercedes-Benz claims that these features will form the new benchmark for the segment.
Stay tuned to HOTTRAK on September 11 for live updates straight from the launch.