Day: February 9, 2012

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From Autoblog: Video: Translogic visits Europe, first to drive the Lightning GT

The Lightning GT all-electric supercar has been inching its way towards production for years now. The last time we talked about itwas November 2010, but it’s back thanks to Translogic.

The video series from our colleagues at AOL Autos took a trip to Europe and managed to score the very first drive of the Lightning GT before anyone else. Not even Top Gear has sat in this thing and it’s being developed in their backyard.

The specs for the car as they stand today are 400 horsepower from its electric motor powering the rear wheels for a 0-60 time of around 4.5 seconds and a maximum range of 150 miles. The folks behind the Lightning GT even claim that their lithium-titanate batteries (sourced from the U.S.) can be recharged in just 10 minutes when paired with a big daddy ultra powerful off-board charger.

Bold claims for sure, and we’d likely describe the Lightning GT as vaporware if Translogic didn’t just drive it. Drive it they did, though, so follow the jumpto watch Translogic host Bradley Hasemeyer be the first to put foot to floor in the Lightning GT.

Continue reading Translogic visits Europe, first to drive the Lightning GT

 

from Autoblog

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From Autoblog: Video: This is the difference between a sports sedan and the GT-R

m5 versus gtr

Okay, this is an easy one. If we told you to pick a performance winner between the Nissan GT-R and the BMW M5, we’re guessing the vast majority of you would pick Godzilla to come out on top. Both vehicles feature over 500 horsepower, but the BMW weighs over 400 pounds more, and the GT-R counters with one of the world’s most impressive all-wheel-drive systems.

That didn’t stop the Autocar team from pitting the M5 against the GT-R in a test of acceleration, cornering, braking, G-force and general feel. Given the GT-R’s 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds and its reputation for otherworldly handling, you know how this one is going to play out. But will the Nissan super coupe take all five tests? To be honest, a few of the tests were a bit closer than we would have thought. Hit the jumpto check it out.

Continue reading This is the difference between a sports sedan and the GT-R

 

from Autoblog

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From MAKE: Instructables Giving Away $50,000 3D Printer

Our pals over at Instructables are always having one cool contest or another, and have given away some fabulous maker dream-prizes in the past including four Epilog laser cutters, now, in a series of annual contests. But with their new Make It Real Challenge, they have truly outdone themselves: The grand prize is an Objet30 from Israel’s Objet Geometries, which manufactures some of the highest-performing and most sought-after 3D printing equipment in the world. It’s described as a “desktop” model, but it’s priced like a luxury car at $51,995. Here are the juicy technical deets straight from Objet’s website:

  • Layer Thickness: 0.0011 inch (28µ)
  • Accuracy: 0.0039 in (0.1 mm)
  • Material: VeroWhitePlus, VeroBlue, VeroBlack, VeroGray, DurusWhite
  • Net Build Size: 11.57 x 7.58 x 5.85 in (294 x 192.6 x 148.6 mm)
  • Tray Size: 11.81 x 7.87 x 5.9 in (300 x 200 x 150 mm)
  • Resolution: 600 x 600 x 900 dpi
  • No. of Print Heads: 1 modeling head, 1 support head
  • Weight: 205 lbs (93 kg)
  • Size: 32.28 x 24.4 x 23.22 in (82.5 x 62 x 59 cm)

As if that weren’t enough, each of ten first prize winners gets a $4,000 Up! 3D printer, and each of twenty runners up gets a coupon for a single 3D printed object costing up to $1,000. The challenge is to “post an Instructable that shows how to turn a virtual item into a tangible object,” and the deadline is April 30. Details here. [Thanks, Randy!]

 

from MAKE

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From Kotaku: Foxconn Hacked

A hacker collective named SwaggSec claims to have hacked Foxconn, the world’s largest electronic components maker. Foxconn assembles hardware for Apple as well as game consoles, such as the PS3, the Xbox 360, and the Wii. According to SwaggSec’s open letter, the hack appears to be retaliation for Foxconn’s notorious working conditions. More »

from Kotaku

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From Gizmodo: Broke Kodak Will Halt All Camera Production

Just a few weeks after filing for bankruptcy, Kodak says it will stop producing digital cameras, pocket video cameras, and digital picture frames in the first half of 2012. The move will reportedly save Kodak $100 million a year. Instead, the legendary camera company will focus its efforts on printers. Sad. We really like the Kodak Playsport pocket cam. In fact, it’s still featured in the top image for our monthly Bestmodo posts. [AP via The Verge] More »




from Gizmodo