The current Mercedes-Benz A-Class might boast some innovative construction, but it isn’t exactly the most striking design the German automaker has ever come up with. The new Concept A-Class, however, now that’s another story. While the outgoing production A-Class takes on the likes of the Volkswagen Golf Plus and Opel Meriva, the new concept looks poised to take the fight to the BMW 1 Series, Lexus CT 200h and Audi A3.

Naturally, as a concept car, some of the flashier bits are bound to be lost on the road to eventual production, but overall the showcar emerges as a clear step in the right direction. But don’t take our word for it – follow the jump to watch a trio of videos: two showing the A-Class Concept from all the angles in smooth silence, and a third with MB designer Mark Fetherston highlighting some of the finer points of the Concept A-Class. Thanks for the tip, John!

[Source: Mercedes-Benz via YouTube]

Continue reading Videos: Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class shows off its finer points

Videos: Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class shows off its finer points originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Gear as we know it now is in its 16th season of automotive mischief, hoonage and – somewhere in there – journalism. What we tune in for now, though, is a reborn version of a show that soldiered on from 1977 to 2001 before being cancelled and once again exhumed.

The original show only resembles the current version in two ways: the theme song is Dickey Betts’ Jessica and Jeremy Clarkson is one of the hosts. Beyond that, it’s a whole different animal. Looking at these videos, it’s a wonderful thing that TG rose from the ashes of its former self into the show it is today. Looking at clips of the original series, it’s a wonder it lasted as long as it did.

For the most part, there a batch of dour presenters with bad hair and worse suits giving us the goods on the latest version of cars like the Lancia Beta or Rover 216. In some places, the future lunacy of the show pokes through, but for the most part it’s a very tame, and, yes, boring show.

Still, the clips of historic TG are entertaining, if for no other reason than Clarkson’s hair and denim jacket collection. Here’s hoping that Top Gear USA will itself enjoy enough time to metamorphosize into something bolder, funnier and harder-hitting as well. Thanks for the tip, Ryan!

[Source: BBC via YouTube]

Continue reading Videos: Rewind – Old Top Gear looks back at even older Top Gear

Videos: Rewind – Old Top Gear looks back at even older Top Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mini Rocketman Concept is set to make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and we’re eager to get a look at this funky thing the flesh. Until that happens, we’ll have to be content with the slew of views Mini has provided.

Ready for your viewing pleasure after the jump are videos of b-roll footage, exterior and interior walkarounds and a clip showing the action of the cool dual-hinged doors. Additionally, Anders Warming, head of Mini design, stepped in to provide some insight into the development of the Rocketman concept. If you’re hungry for Rocketman information, this plethora of video footage will indeed satiate you.

[Source: Mini]

Continue reading Videos: Mini Rocketman Concept detailed from every angle

Videos: Mini Rocketman Concept detailed from every angle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rinspeed‘s oddball creations are as much rare birds as they are strange ones. Every year we arrive in Geneva and take a good long look at the latest one before moving on, and then the cars are never to be seen again. And we wouldn’t expect any different from this year’s bizarre concept car.

Called the BamBoo, it’s the Swiss firm’s vision of a modern-day, all-electric, open-air beach buggy of sorts, and, like its predecessors, bears little in the way of resemblance to any other car on the road today. Well, maybe the old Fiat Jolly, Mini Moke and any number of fiberglass-bodied dune buggies…

So if you want to take a closer look at the BamBoo in its intended natural habitat – Saint-Tropez – check out the quartet of videos after the jump. Because the show will soon be over, and so will the car that Rinspeed built for it. Oh, and guys: looks like the driver above is single… says so right at the front of the car.

[Source: Caradisiac]

Continue reading Videos: Rinspeed BamBoo takes us on vacation from Geneva to Saint-Tropez

Videos: Rinspeed BamBoo takes us on vacation from Geneva to Saint-Tropez originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For us, there are few things better than vintage racing. While we love to see classic metal from every corner of the globe all dolled up on a concourse lawn, the truth is that cars are meant to be driven. La Carrera Panamericana is the gold standard of vintage racing venues, with everything from favorites like BMW 2002s, Datsun 510s, Porsche 911s, Chevrolet Corvette Stingrays and early Ford Mustangs to charisma magnets like Hudsons and Mercedes-Benz SL300 racers tackling the undulating Mexican tarmac of the Panamerican Highway. It’s road rallying at its finest.

And while making it out to far-flung corners of Mexico may not be on everyone’s travel agenda, we can all get a taste of what it’s like to be a spectator via the wonder of the internet. The purveyors of procrastination over at Bring a Trailer have been so kind as to post a series of high-definition videos from this year’s rally, complete with Porsche sideways action. Hit the jump to take a look for yourself.

[Source: Bring a Trailer]

Continue reading Videos: Vintage rally action at La Carrera Panamericana

Videos: Vintage rally action at La Carrera Panamericana originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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