VIDEO: New Transformers 2 Movie Extended Trailer, Includes Audi R8 Transformation Scene

In about two month's time, on June 24, 2009, the much anticipated sequel of Michael Bay's Transformer movie will see Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) once again joining forces with the Autobots against their mechanical foes, the Decepticons. To get the blood pumping, the creators of the film dropped a two-and-a-half minute long trailer where we get the chance to see Bumblebee crying -really, a few fights, a first glimpse of the Audi R8 transforming into a Robot (1:52 minutes into the video) and oh, what's her Fox-y name taking her clothes off. Hit the jump to watch the video.

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Jay Leno Picks Out Future Classic and Collectible Cars from Today

As you all know, Jay Leno is the host of "The Tonight Show". He is also a car guy but not one of those fancy-pansy wannabe aficionados. Leno loves cars, in fact he loves them so much that he has a dream garage with more than 80 vehicles ranging from a 1928 Bugatti Type 37A and a 1958 Lancia Aurelia to the modern day Dodge Challenger SRT8 and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. So, you could say that Leno knows a thing or two when it comes to collecting cars. In the latest issue of Popular Mechanics, Leno attempts to predict which of today's automobiles have the potential to become future classics - with one twist; they must be cars that you can actually use for your everyday transportation.

First up is one we think that you'll all agree upon, the first-generation Toyota Prius chiefly because history has already marked it down as the first mass produced hybrid model. Next in the list is the Mazda Miata MkI which Leno believes will be the "ultimate affordable collectible by 2025'. To finish up with the Japanese collectibles, Leno also picked out the first iteration of the Honda Insight hybrid model.

Moving on to cars from American automakers, Leno predicted that the first generation Ford Taurus will be seen as "a real styling triumph in the mid-1980s" while today's young men will find large SUVs like Hummers and Cadillac Escalades extremely appealing in their 50s and 60s in 2025. "The Hummer will be the '59 Cadillac of 2025," Leno said.

The TV host also predicts that due to its manual gearbox and of course its sporty nature, the sporty Cadillac CTS-V will become a future classic as will the Pontiac Aztek but for a completely different reason - because its odd-looking and weird. Finally, Leno finds that small and cute city cars like the new Smart and MINI will become collectibles. "If a woman was cute 20 years ago, she's cute today. The same is true for cars," he said and we couldn't agree more.

However, if we want to nitpick, we'd say that it's a pity that Leno did not include any other European and Japanese cars in his list as we reckon that vehicles like the Mitsubishi Lancer EVOs, Subaru Impreza WRX STIs and Audi TTs (among others sold in the U.S.) have the potential to become future classics.

Via: Popular Mechanics

Fast and Furious No5 with Vin Diesel and Paul Walker in the Works

We've yet to find some time to go and see 'Fast and Furious 4' which came out in early April, but we have learned that the film's two-leading stars, Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, will meet again as Universal Pictures has given the green light for a fifth installment of the hot-rodding franchise. The revelation was made by Walker who plays the role of Brian O'Connor, an FBI agent in the fourth film. "This was supposed to be it. There wasn't supposed to be the open-ended closing like there was," Walker told MYfm's Valentine.

"When they started talking about making the fourth one, I was like, man, I don't really have a choice now, because if I don't do it I know I'm gonna be pissing people off, because this is the opportunity to come back and make the first true sequel," said Walker.

"But without question, with the way things opened up, Vin and I will be coming back, we're making a fifth one, and we're going to Brazil, that's it," he added.

No word on when 'Fast and Furious 5' (or whatever it will be called) will hit the big screen, but don't expect to see it before 2010 at the earliest.

Via: Egmcartech , Source: LA Times

Video: Eric Cantona Stars in new Renault Laguna Commercial

Former Manchester United and French international soccer player Eric Cantona, will star in a new online commercial for the Renault Laguna. The campgain, which is called "New Renault Laguna – Eric Cantona: The Meeting", is due online on 23 March, mainly in the UK and France. If you're in a bit of a hurry to see Cantona who became famous not only for his soccer playing abilities but also for performing a kung fu-style attack on a fan, hit the jump to see a teaser video of the advert.

Breaking News: Ford Offers Fans the Opportunity to Tour with Toby Keith

Stop the press; American country music singer - songwriter Toby Keith has teamed for the millionth time with FoMoCo to promote the latest F-150 truck. This time, Ford has come up with the "Built Ford Tough Biggest & Baddest" sweepstakes that will see the grand prize, business-up-front, party-at-the-back, mullet-loving winner not only getting into a new 2009 F-150 truck, but also receiving an all-expense paid trip for him/her and three more buddies to join Toby for one weekend on his 2009-2010 tour.

But while we may be making fun of the Toby Keith sweepstakes, there is a logic behind Ford's decision. According to Kevin Schebil, manager, Ford Truck Communications, more than 60 percent of F-Series customers listen to country music. "Toby Keith is a third-generation truck man, and he's number one in the country music arena," Schebil said.

Schebil also said that many of the people who register for consumer promotions go on to request more information about F-Series trucks. "The Built Ford Tough Biggest & Baddest Sweepstakes already has generated more than 40,000 handraisers for us," he added.

James Bond's Iconic 1976 Lotus Esprit up for Sale

Along with the classic Aston Martin DB5 that starred in the 1964 film Goldfinger with Sean Connery as the fictional Mi6 agent, the Lotus Esprit driven by Roger Moore in the 1977 "The Spy Who Loved Me" is one of the most recognizable 007 cars of all times. And now Bond fans have the chance to park the white 1976 Esprit in their garage as the car will go under hummer on 1 December at Bonhams annual auction in West London. The Esprit that turned into an amphibious vehicle in the movie (and not in real life of course) is expected to fetch between £100,000 - £120,000 or to put that in U.S. dollars, $149,00 to $178,300 with the current exchange rates.

Via: Jalopnik

James Bond's Ford Edge Hydrogen from "Quantum of Solace"

James "I'll- even-advertise-panties-for-the-right-price" Bond will get behind the wheel of a black 2008 Ford Edge SUV in the new 007 film "Quantum of Solace," which opens this weekend in theaters in the U.S. The four Ford Edge crossovers that will be seen throughout the move will be dressed to look like hydrogen-powered vehicles. But this is a case of 'fiction-meets-reality' as Ford is currently working on the Edge HySeries which promises to be the world's first fuel cell hybrid electric plug-in. According to FoMoCo, the HySeries combines an onboard hydrogen fuel cell generator with lithium ion batteries to deliver more than 41 mpg.

"Four Edges dressed up as hydrogen-powered vehicles are part of a fleet that belongs to Greene, and they are integrated naturally into the plot of the movie," said Al Uzielli, senior advisor to Ford Global Brand Entertainment. "When you see the Edge – as when you saw the Mondeo in 'Casino Royale' – there's no question to the relevance or the correctness of the vehicle being in that scene."

Relevant or not, Ford's product placement in 007's new adventure does not end with the Edge Crossover as the firm's European arm will also have an ambassador in the movie, the 2009 Ford Ka mincar that will be driven Bond's new girl Camille played by Olga Kurylenko. (Opening image

Video: Restored BMW 6-Series Cabrio from Back to the Future Film

Answering to some of the questions that were posted on the comment area of our post on the restored BMW 633 CSI Cabriolet from the Back to the Future 2 film (see details here), the owner of the vehicle Jeff Chabotte enlightened us with a video link describing the way that the futuristic wheel covers on work the car. Watch the video after the jump.

Thanks for the link Jeff!

Ford Reintroduces us to Bond's New Girl, Olga Kurylenko

As an official sponsor of the new James Bond film called 'Quantum of Solace', Ford gets the chance to promote its vehicles in all sorts of ways, on and off the movie set. In 007's new adventure that opens in UK and French cinemas on October 31st, with the rest of the world following in November 2008, Ford's new KA mini makes a cameo appearance by the side of Camille played by Olga Kurylenko. In case it slipped your attention, she's the foxy lady sitting next to the Ka in the picture above. -Continued

To celebrate the Ka's cameo role, Ford is promoting a series of media features for the latest Bond girl including a special on MTV where a viewer is selected to be transformed into an authentic 007 girl and a behind the scenes feature through the eyes of Olga Kurylenko from E! Entertainment.

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Man Brings To Life BMW 633CSI Cabrio from Back To The Future 2 Film

Sometimes we wonder what makes people like Ken Imhoff who built a Lamborghini Countach from scratch in his basement (click here) or in this case, Jeff Chabotte who restored the original BMW 633 CSI Cabriolet from the Back To The Future 2 film, do the things they do. Most wouldn't even bother, but then again that is exactly what makes people like Ken and Jeff so special. A vivid fan of the Back To The Future trilogy, Jeff Chabotte was presented with a unique opportunity in 2004 to buy the original "flying" 1976 BMW 633 CSI Convertible that belonged to the Marty McFly's enemy, Griff Tannen in the movie. -Continued

As you can see in the pictures provided by Jeff, the vehicle was in a pretty bad shape when he bought it in 2004 as it had been seriously neglected by the studio over the years. This didn't bother Jeff who was committed to restoring the "flying" to its original on-screen condition. However, easier said than done as many parts of the car were either missing or in terrible condition and had to be reproduced.

The restoration is now nearly complete but Jeff seems to need a helping hand to finish the project like repairing the drive train along with wiring the 320i taillights and making it roadworthy. So if you happen to own or know of a dealership in the greater New England area that's willing to help Jeff finish his project in exchange for displaying it in a showroom, feel free to drop us a line.

Via: Jalopnik