vLane Blog

Articles Matching “design”

• The Future of GM Part 1: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

  AshleyW on June 17, 2009

  In this five-part series, we'll take a look at some of the most exciting products that GM has in the pipeline. It's not a commercial, either: with 60.8 per cent of the company now owned by the US taxpayers — and 11.7 per cent by Canadian taxpayers — it's a good time to look at how well our investments are holding up.

  

  The new LaCrosse is leagues ahead of the current model.

  The 2010 Buick LaCrosse uses the same platform as the Opel Insignia from the European Division of GM, a popular vehicle in Europe that was given the honour of European Car of the Year, 2009, and Top Gear's Executive Car of the Year, 2008. Wise decision, I think, to share the award-winning platform with its American cousin.

  Read on for more analysis and photos…

  Read full article | Comments (1) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Luxury, News, Feature, Safety, design, Allure, Insignia, Opel

• Furniture made from car parts

  AshleyW on June 17, 2009

  If you've ever thought about keeping a piece of a car you just couldn't part with, Jake's Chop Shop has the right idea in taking some of those parts and turning them into something new.

  

  If you're looking to buy, beds start at $4,000 and the sofas start at $6,000

  Remember those car beds you see advertised in a Sears catalogue for little kids, with the matching sheets and pillowcases? Jake's Chop Shop car beds are sort of like that but definitely for grown ups and you have to provide your own sheets. His designs appeal to car enthusiasts, who may want to take the front of a classic car and convert to the front of their bed or couch.

  Even better, take the rear seat out of an old Chevy or Chrysler and you've got yourself a brand new sofa. Innovative and creative the beds, chairs, sofas and tables are one of a kind. The attention to detail in each piece is really amazing.

  Read More:

  • Porsche Design Conceives Baby Clothes
  • My Favourite Hybrid SUVs
  • How-To: Maintain Your tires and Rims

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Feature, Chrysler, lifestyle, Chevrolet, design, custom, accessories, furniture, car sofa

• The BMW drive experience

  AshleyW on June 5, 2009

  When I first pulled up to the area of Downsview Park in Toronto, Canada, where this event would take place I saw all these BMWs — and I had no idea what to expect. Would I get to drive each and every one of them? Luckily for me and the many other people who attended, we pretty much did.

  

  I really thought the Audi A4 would ace the track, and surprisingly, it didn't.

  We were given an introduction by Saladin Karl, senior event marketing specialist, Driver Training for BMW Canada. He has been with BMW for fourteen years, and with BMW Canada for the last two years. He pointed out to us that we would get to experience driving BMW sports sedans and BMW sports sedan powered by diesel. He also said we would get to drive and compare three other cars that are in direct competition with BMW, a Mercedes, Audi and Lexus. Next was a very informative presentation by Chief Driving Instructor Pierre Savoy. He has held this role for the last eight years and has been putting on driving events with BMW for the last 17 years.

  More…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Lexus, driving, on ramp, interior, Audi, Feature, BMW, Diesel, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Convertible, Safety, lifestyle, Performance, design, interior, Z4, sports sedan

• One for the road: 2010 BMW 5-Series GT

  Banovsky on June 2, 2009

  Ok, here's the deal: you need space, but don't like the look of a wagon. You also have, apparently, about $70,000 to spend on the top-range 550i model that'll do 0-60 in 5.5 seconds.

  

  Though not the best angle, the car is pretty functional without looking it.

  Good? Great. BMW says of the styling, "[The GT has] an elegantly stretched silhouette and a coupé-like roofline, as well as four doors with frameless windows to create one complete, harmonious unit." I quite like the styling, and it conceals a few neat tricks. First, the rear "hatch" lifts in two parts (just like a Skoda Superb), with either a "trunk" or a hatch-sized opening. This is made possible by some wicked-thick gas struts, and I've pasted a pic after the fold.

  The other neat bit? The rear seats fold — and recline — independently of the cargo area wall. So you can load up the back with junk, and still recline in the rear of the car without affecting cargo space.

  Options? The GT will come with either a twin-turbo 6-cylinder with 306 horsepower (535i GT), twin-turbo 8-cylinder with 407 horsepower (550i GT), or twin-turbo 6-cylinder diesel (530d GT.) All motors will be hooked to the company's new eight-speed automatic gearbox.

  Check out more pics and a video after the jump.

  Read full article | Comments (2) | Filed under Hatchback, Future, News, Europe, Sedan, BMW, Crossover, Misc, design

• A car-free suburb in Germany

  AshleyW on May 28, 2009

  Imagine living in a community where cars are frowned upon? It exits in Germany…

  

  [Photo via myauthorsite]

  No garages, or parking on the street — and forget about an asphalt driveway — you won't find any of that in Vauban, Germany, located not to far way from the French and Swiss borders. Home to 5500 residents, most of the people who live here either don't own a vehicle or if they do it's parked in parking garages where a resident will buy a space for ~$40,000 USD along with a house. The emphasis in this community is to raise families without having to depend on a vehicle and to protect the environment at the same time. More…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under convenience, Environment, Future, Green, News, Concept, lifestyle, family, design

• Imola Race Resort to build exclusive country club in South Africa for enthusiasts

  AshleyW on May 20, 2009

  Imagine a country club specifically designed with a race track that you can drive your Ferrari F430 on without the worry of getting a ticket — and then when you're done, enjoy a high-class lunch.

  

  The proposed track layout

  This is what one can expect at the Imola Race Resort that will start construction in South Africa at the end of this year. The resort will be built near to the historical Vaal River about an hours drive from Johannesburg. The actual track will be based on the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit which is located in Midrand, South Africa. Read on…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Luxury, driving, News, Feature, Ferrari, lifestyle, design, Imola, Kyalami, resort, South Africa

• Miata content: I'm in love…again

  Banovsky on May 19, 2009

  Ok, so the Mazda Miata isn't the most manly car you can get. But it's so close to the ideal "drive" that it doesn't matter.

  

  How much cuter could it get?

  Even though thousands of Miatas are being used in competition regularly, some enthusiasts fail to see the car as more than a rolling joke. So maybe it's best to add a few retro touches to make the car more "classic."

  Monocraft, a high-quality Japanese firm specializing in large scale customization, has just the ticket. Its front and rear fascias change the small roadster almost beyond recognition, giving it more soul and more character. It's new name? The MH1… Ok, the name is lame.

  Click through to see more photos of the Monocraft Mazda Miata.

  [via.]

  Read full article | Comments (2) | Filed under Mazda, Japan, Misc, Convertible, design, custom, accessories

• If you've got a MINI and personality, show it!

  AshleyW on May 19, 2009

  I personally like having unique items. Something that's one of a kind. During my karting experience I met another woman who owns a MINI Cooper, and explained to me that she is part of the MINI community that actually races their cars.

  

  So much choice…

  I did some research and discovered that there are tons of accessories that can be bought to enhance the MINI Cooper, especially vinyl graphics. I immediately thought of one of my favorite movies, The Italian Job…you know, with Mark Wahlberg…

  Anyway, I found two really cool sites that offer customized vinyl graphics just for MINIs to give them that racing appeal or and to make them one of a kind.

  On to the stripes…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Hatchback, features, features, MINI, style, design, custom, accessories

• Wear your old car parts as jewellery?

  AshleyW on May 15, 2009

  Recycling and being green is more popular now than ever and a lot of individuals are finding creative ways to reuse materials. Even car parts are being reshaped and designed into some serious 'bling.

  

  Rings made by Hi Octane Jewellery

  Hi Octane Jewellery is an innovative company that makes earrings, rings, belt buckles, bracelets and necklaces either with car motifs or recycled car parts.

  Their car grille rings are made of silver and some look like old school hot rods. Much of their jewellery can be custom made, like the silver 1957 Chevy Look Grille bracelet. The items made from emblems are really interesting. Hi Octane Jewellery has created necklaces, belt buckles and even cufflinks from car emblems. One of their belt buckles is a Cadillac emblem that was found on the inside of a door panel and cufflinks, also Cadillac emblems, were found on interior lights.

  Perfect gifts for enthusiasts, click through to learn about Wired Jewellery.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Green, Feature, lifestyle, shopping, design, custom, accessories, Jewelry

• Luxury handbags made from tractor tire inner tubes

  AshleyW on May 14, 2009

  When I think of tractors, the images that come to mind are: wheat, tall grass, large fields, and corn. Never — ever — have I associated tractors with luxury bags, but that's about to change.

  

  Passchal's "The Scrunch"

  It all started in 1999. Angela Greene, an inventor, along with Ken Kobrick, a former welder decided to create bags made out of discarded tractor inner tube tires after Greene bought a backpack made out of inner tubes. Passchal was created soon after, and the variety of bags you can buy made out of inner tubes is fascinating. They launched Passchal in 2004 and have recycled 26 tons of inner tubes creating these innovative luxury bags.

  Read more…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Luxury, Environment, Green, Misc, lifestyle, design, rubber, custom, accessories, women, Passchal, handbags, bag