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Nintendo has taught millions of underage kids to drive, thanks to its immensely popular handheld Mario Kart video game. The driving routes are all virtual – thankfully – as they include not only unexpected sheer cliffs, but also driving under the water while evading baddies.

To bring part of Mario’s make-believe world to life, Nintendo has partnered with West Coast Customs to create life-size models of Mario’s Standard Kart and Luigi’s Bumble V Kart. While the characters are forced to enjoy their rides in the hazardous Mushroom Kingdom, we checked them out in the (relative) safety of the Los Angeles Convention Center during today’s LA Auto Show. Naturally, the West Coast Customs tie-in means that the karts’ construction will be chronicled in an upcoming episode of the shop’s reality television show.

The detail on the full-size working models is… well… interesting. Mario’s kart appears to be front-wheel drive, with 18-inch wheels on the rear. Noted for its Super Glider option for cliff jumping, the attachment is mounted prominently overhead. Luigi’s kart, decked-out with 16-inch wheels and disc brakes, is also front-wheel drive. It is available with a propeller to provide movement under water, but the accessory wasn’t attached when we visited. If you want to read more about the vehicles and hear about the new Mario Kart 7 video game, check out the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Nintendo partners with West Coast Customs to build full-size Mario Karts

Nintendo partners with West Coast Customs to build full-size Mario Karts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The crack team of engineers that Nissan put to task on building the Juke-R prototype worked hard on their assignment, and have taken us along every step of the way.

Fitting the mechanical bits from a GT-R into the tiny Juke crossover, it turns out, has been no easy task. So with the engine and drivetrain in place, it’s time to start re-fitting the interior.

Sounds simple enough, right? Well, with the engine pushed that far back into what was the Juke’s cabin, the boffins had to rethink everything, and make sure the controls were within easy reach for the lucky son of a gun (or poor soul) who’d be driving this beast. Follow the jump to see how they managed, and scope out the updated gallery of high-res still images.

Continue reading Nissan Juke-R web build soldiers on with interior fittings

Nissan Juke-R web build soldiers on with interior fittings originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re beginning to think Australia is the Promised Land. The wayward continent embraces all things motorized in a way that never fails to make us smile. Lately, we’ve become aware of the growing number of vastly talented motorcycle builders coming from that corner of the globe, including Matt Machine.

Machine is responsible for a volley of well-executed bikes, including a Moto Guzzi Mark 1 Le Mans that will stop your heart and start it back up again if you look at it for too long. A few video-oriented friends recently swung by the Machine farm for a few days to work up a quick flick on the man’s inner workings as well as his creations. The result is fantastic.

The video after the jump is a well-shot ode to hand-crafting works of two-wheeled obsession. As Machine says, “It’s about me learning how to use my hands and use tools and use my brain to build things from scratch.”

Amen. Hit the jump to check out the clip for yourself.

Continue reading The inner workings of Matt Machine makes us want to build, then ride

The inner workings of Matt Machine makes us want to build, then ride originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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