Dubbed as the world’s smallest food truck, this innovation is a made in a smart car. The business which sells German sandwich in Austin, Texas was started by Michael Heyne and Dominel Stein, exchange students from Germany who wants to put their country’s delicacy on the map of the “Live Music Capital of the World”. The sandwich called Doener Kebaps is now becoming popular in the city. And why not when they are not only selling delicious meals, but they are also rolling on smart car. Despite the fact that mobile food carts are not new anymore, this one became a hit because it is the David in the midst of Goliaths. In the industry dominated by trailers, this new concept surely attracted attention. You wouldn’t believe it but the smallest food truck has food container assemble, power unit for food warmers, refrigerator and sink. All these were custom-made for them by Frenzel, a German company who build customized coaches. The mini “restaurant” currently have a limited menu, perhaps because of its size. They get their supplies from a large restaurant, meaning after being able to sell 50 sandwiches, they have to go backl to the restaurant to get more supplies. That’s just the downside of it, but who knows what these two Germans can do in the future. Thanks for the heads-up, Automotto.com . Read the original post:  Food Cart in a Smart Car?

The Chevrolet Volt , a plug-in hybrid that has an advanced but unproven powertrain, is now the top-scoring model in Consumer Reports’ latest annual owner-satisfaction survey . Ninety-three percent of respondents who own the Volt said they would definitely buy it again, making it the highest-rated car in the nationally representative survey. The Volt narrowly edged out the V8-powered Dodge Challenger and the Porsche 911 , each with owner-satisfaction scores of 91 percent. Though the Volt’s high score reflects the excitement surrounding GM’s new electric/gasoline drivetrain, it comes with a caveat. The model had been in showrooms for only a few months when Consumer Reports’ survey was conducted, and it remains to be seen if the score will hold up as the car rolls out to a wider audience and owners spend more time with their vehicles. Still, early adopters of a new technology tend to be among the most enthusiastic buyers. Consumer Reports’ car owner-satisfaction survey was conducted prior to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announcement that it would conduct a safety investigation into plug-in hybrid sedans following an incident with a Chevrolet Volt catching fire after being crash tested. “These models reflect a larger trend we’ve seen in recent years: Sporty cars and fuel-efficient cars with alternative drivetrains tend to generate more enthusiasm and loyalty than most other types of vehicles,” said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports automotive editor. For each of the 27 models that got Consumer Reports top owner-satisfaction rating—with at least 80 percent of respondents saying they’d definitely buy the car again—12 were sporty cars or convertibles and nine were hybrids or diesels. Brand nationality doesn’t seem to be a factor among the top-rated models. The 27 models with the highest rating include 10 American, 10 European, and seven Asian models. Audi, Chevrolet, and Ford were tied with four models each on the top list. Consumer Reports owner-satisfaction survey, which drew responses from more than 314,000 subscribers on 2009 through 2012 model-year vehicles, is based on the results from Consumer Reports Annual Auto Survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National...

Though many have found the production versions of the Subaru-Toyota joint sports coupe to be somewhat less thrilling than hoped, the 2013 Subaru BRZ is certainly the better of the two, aesthetically speaking. These live images show it carries the staged, studio-shot presence through to reality as well. The front end of the BRZ in particular is… View post:  2013 Subaru BRZ Live Photos And Video: 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

The most eagerly awaited since the partnership between Subaru and Toyota was forged in 2006, a development process creating a pair of entry-level sports cars evoked attention of both brand customers. Since October of 2009, the concept Toyota FT-86 made a strong indication for what Japanese motoring fans can expect from the anticipated sport vehicle. Presented as the BRZ STI Concept at locales including the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show , the production Subaru sports car was finally introduced for this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. Debuting at the same time show that the Toyota GT-86 (to be known as the Scion FR-S in North American) , the Subaru BRZ two-door, 2+2 sports car is a bold presentation for the Japanese auto badge that had resisted this personal performance vehicle category for many years. At a distance, the ability to distract the exterior differences between the Toyota and Subaru vehicles will only come easy to an astute automotive observer. Appearing very close to the concept version of the BRZ, the production sport car’s mature Subaru details are detected on the lower front fascia that includes a hexagon grille and distinctive fog light housings. Detectable ahead of the cabin doors are chrome, stylized side louvers. Just 170 inches in total length, the Subaru BRZ is 4 inches shorter than a Scion tC but 2.8 inches longer than the Nissan 370Z sports car. Weighing less than 2,700 pounds, the low, sleek look for the Subaru BRZ is intentional to foster a fun to drive, sporty feel. A set of 17-inch aluminum wheels are wrapped with the rubber of competent performance tires. Compared to the vehicle that Americans will know as the Scion FR-S, the Subaru’s interior is likely going to be a slightly more upscale look. Driver-oriented, the BRZ’s tachometer with digital speedometer is planted in the center of the gauge cluster. Combined with a compact-sized, auto racing style steering wheel, the Subaru BRZ interior experience is also provoked with comfortable sport seating in the front. Powered by a horizontally-opposed 2-liter boxer engine, the traditional Subaru engine design is reinforced by Toyota’s expertise in technology that includes direct injection. Cleverly positioned to optimize the lowest center of gravity possible, 200 horsepower and 151 pounds-feet...

The most eagerly awaited since the partnership between Subaru and Toyota was forged in 2006, a development process creating a pair of entry-level sports cars evoked attention of both brand customers. Since October of 2009, the concept Toyota FT-86 made a strong indication for what Japanese motoring fans can expect from the anticipated sport vehicle. Presented as the BRZ STI Concept at locales including the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show , the production Subaru sports car was finally introduced for this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. Debuting at the same time show that the Toyota GT-86 (to be known as the Scion FR-S in North American) , the Subaru BRZ two-door, 2+2 sports car is a bold presentation for the Japanese auto badge that had resisted this personal performance vehicle category for many years. At a distance, the ability to distract the exterior differences between the Toyota and Subaru vehicles will only come easy to an astute automotive observer. Appearing very close to the concept version of the BRZ, the production sport car’s mature Subaru details are detected on the lower front fascia that includes a hexagon grille and distinctive fog light housings. Detectable ahead of the cabin doors are chrome, stylized side louvers. Just 170 inches in total length, the Subaru BRZ is 4 inches shorter than a Scion tC but 2.8 inches longer than the Nissan 370Z sports car. Weighing less than 2,700 pounds, the low, sleek look for the Subaru BRZ is intentional to foster a fun to drive, sporty feel. A set of 17-inch aluminum wheels are wrapped with the rubber of competent performance tires. Compared to the vehicle that Americans will know as the Scion FR-S, the Subaru’s interior is likely going to be a slightly more upscale look. Driver-oriented, the BRZ’s tachometer with digital speedometer is planted in the center of the gauge cluster. Combined with a compact-sized, auto racing style steering wheel, the Subaru BRZ interior experience is also provoked with comfortable sport seating in the front. Powered by a horizontally-opposed 2-liter boxer engine, the traditional Subaru engine design is reinforced by Toyota’s expertise in technology that includes direct injection. Cleverly positioned to optimize the lowest center of gravity possible, 200 horsepower and 151 pounds-feet...

As Reba McEntire tells it, success in life requires just three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone. Assuming those bones are all indiscernible from a distance, this is a fitting analogy for the trio of rear-wheel-drive coupes from Subaru, Toyota, and Scion. If not, we’ve got a three-legged-stool metaphor that might interest you. Either way, here’s the last part of the three-similar-piece puzzle: Scion’s version of the jointly developed sports car, which will retain the FR-S name of its concept forebear . As we noted when they debuted in Tokyo earlier this week, the  Toyota (GT) 86 and the  Subaru BRZ are identical save for some minor cosmetic differences. The FR-S, as expected, looks most similar to its Toyota sibling—meaning it has the same front and rear fascias, and it gets the cool “86″ boxer logo for its front fenders. The only real difference is the Scion badge in place of Toyota’s encircled T logo. And, like the rest of the brand’s offerings, the FR-S will get its own Pioneer head units. Only the Scion and the Subaru will be sold in the U.S., while Toyota’s offering is headed for non-Scion markets (i.e. everywhere else). About the only other new information we learned from the announcement is that the engine will require premium fuel to make the claimed 197 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. We presume that will be true of all versions, regardless of brand, as they share the same 2.0-liter boxer four. Likewise, the Scion will offer the same choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The FR-S goes on sale in the spring of 2012. Now all that’s left for us to do is drive the thing. Oh, we already did ? We’ll have to make sure it handles as well with these badges and exposed paint. Read the original post: 2013 Scion FR-S Revealed: The Other U.S.-Bound Toyobaru Go here to read the rest: 2013 Scion FR-S Revealed: The Other U.S.-Bound Toyobaru

While the idea of turning the costly procedure of automotive research and development into an income-bearing business is something few auto brands could manage, the passion of Ferrari owners have translated into a working strategy to this plan. Since 2010, wealthy enough enthusiasts of the prancing horse brand have wrapped their hands around the steering wheels of a special exotic car called the Ferrari 599XX. When the Ferrari Challenge competition F430 and F458 cars are just not thrilling Ferrari owners, the Ferrari-XX designated vehicles is a radically successful encounter of vehicle R&D merging with the supercar marketplace. A program started in 2005 with the creation of 30 specially outfitted Ferrari Enzo models, the resulting FXX were built as a track-only vehicle available only under the company’s guidance. On Ferrari specified track days, Ferrari FXX owners (who had forked out $1.8 million US) get to put the non-street legal supercar through its performance paces. A rare, exciting experience for the Ferrari enthusiasts, the Italian sports car company benefits through the collection of vehicle data. Following the FXX, Ferrari continued the unique test/ownership program creating the 599XX. Unlike its street-going counterpart, 599 GTB Fiorano, but identical to the Ferrari FXX, the Ferrari 599XX came into existence as a vehicle perfected to track-only performance. Ahead of the 2012-2013 session, Ferrari have engineered the Evolution package (also known as the Evoluzione) for the Ferrari 599XX based in part from data collected from previous track sessions. The second time Ferrari added additional excitement in their track-only cars with an Evolution package, examples built on the Ferrari FXX added performance improvements faster shifting gearbox and aerodynamics were included on the Enzo-derived supercar. Making its world debut at the Bologna Motor Show, the Ferrari 599XX Evolution major alteration is an active aerodynamic package. Consisting of two electronically adjustable flaps on the rear wing, the active aerodynamic pieces change the profile of the Ferrari 599XX Evolution. Similar to Chevrolet Cruze Eco’s system known as an automatic air shutter system  designed to divert air flow otherwise directed to powerplant cooling, the Ferrari 599XX Evolution...

Some people are suckers for fast station wagons and we at BenzInsider are not averse to a well sorted one, specially if it’s a smallish estate, as they’re more commonly known now. Auto Evolution has reported capturing a C63 AMG Black Series prototype in the flesh with the pictures to prove it. As the bigger Audi S6 and M5 Touring cars have demonstrated, there is a niche market for these types of cars which a Black Series Estate can perfectly fill. Imagine the gapes of wonder a wagon with a 6.2 liter V8 pumping 517 horsepower to the wheels will produce. Transmitting all that power will be Mercedes’ excellent 7-speed Speedshift transmission. Before you think than this extreme wagon is just a toy, Mercedes-Benz estates are in wide use as medical and service vehicles.  Although, a 500-plus horsepower medical car with huge wheels and matching arches may seem a bit much, one only needs to watch an F1 race to see one in service. See the original post: C63 AMG Estate

Two new snow chains are available from Mercedes-Benz in the accessories range for the B-Class and M-Class models More here:  Mercedes-Benz B-Class and M-Class Get Added Winter Traction