James May and Richard Hammond Bring You ‘Top Gear at the Movies’

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If there’s two things that go together well it’s cars and movies. In fact, there’s a fine history of great cars in great (and not so great) movies over the years.

So it should come as no surprise that the most popular car show of all time, Top Gear, has decided to make a movie about cars, involving cars and shoot it on film. That’s just what Top Gear at the Movies is and as you would expect, it’s pretty awesome.

We’ve got the trailer for it to share with you today. In said trailer you can experience lots of car action, explosions and all the other things that go into a proper movie. Well, at least as close as this gets to a proper movie.

Still, it’s great fun. Check out the trailer after the break. Top Gear at the Movies is available on November 14th.

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You Would Do This If You Could

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Normally, we like four wheels under us to do any really crazy stuff. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate some good two-wheeled tricks as well.

In fact, when we see videos like the one we’ve got for you today, we have no choice but to share. The clip shows one talented individual with a bike’s nose in the air for a good minute and a half. It’s also pretty clear he could have gone longer but decided not to.

This guy also doesn’t take the easy way out either. He does the wheelie, to be sure, but he makes it way more interesting by taking it in some amazing directions. Obviously, this guy knows what he’s doing and you probably shouldn’t try to do it yourself. As in, don’t try this at home.

Okay, the lawyers are happy now. Check out all the action after the break.

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2012 BMW 3-Series to Feature Turbo-Only Engines, 4-Cylinder Option, More

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Today, BMW announced the new look and engine options for its entry-level car: the 3-series. The sixth-generation vehicles will include the first four-cylinder engine since 1999′s 318ti and automatic start-stop function as a standard feature and an available eight-speed automatic.

The new models, arriving this fall, are a bit lighter (88 lbs), a bit longer in both overall length (3.66″) and wheelbase (1.96″), and a little wider (+1.46″ front, 1.85″ rear). There’s also a bit more rear leg and knee room, which is nice.

BMW will offer the new 3-Series in three trim packages. They are as follows: Sport Line: black, Luxury Line: chrome and Modern Line: brushed aluminum.

In addition to new trim, the vehicles will feature new engines. Of course they will. Did you expect anything else?

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Straight Lines Are for Wimps

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Sure, anyone can go fast in a straight line. But if you really wanna impress people (especially the chicks), cornering is where it’s at.

And really, why just corner when you can smoke the tires and drift around said corner? Isn’t that what life is really all about?

Obviously, the folks who take to the track and smoke it up doing Formula Drift must think so. Sadly, the sport is closing its doors for the winter with the latest season coming to and end at Irwindale Speedway last weekend.

Fortunately, all is not lost as a new DVD from Tandem of Die, which chronicles a season of Formula Drift, is coming soon to a store (or torrent site) near you.

In the meantime, we’ve got a teaser for it right here and if this doesn’t have enough tire burning, drifting action for you, you’re just not alive. Check out the video below.

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Watch the Camaro ZL1 Lap the Nürburgring in 7:41.27

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Lest you think we’re all about high-powered European supercars here at The Shiftcast, rest assured we’re not. We also love all-things Detroit, especially big muscle cars with a crapload of horsepower.

Such a car is the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. By way of specs the thing of beauty boasts 580 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 556 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm. That trumps Ford’s Shelby GT500, rated 550 horsepower and 510 foot-pound of torque.

In other words, this car is fast. Very fast. How fast you may wonder?

Well, fast enough to get around the Nürburgring in 7:41:27, just a couple seconds off the Porsche 911 Turbo’s time of 7:39. Don’t believe us? Well, fortunately there’s video evidence to prove it.

In the video you get to watch engineer Aaron Link put the ZL1 through its paces. As fast as it looks you can bet doing it is even faster. We hope to get the chance someday.

Until then, Take a look at the video after the break. BTW, do we really have to say it? Don’t try this at home. Unless, of course, you live in Germany near the Nürburgring. Then we just don’t like you.

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Original K.I.T.T. from ‘Knight Rider’ Goes Up for Auction

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As cool cars from TV shows go, except for maybe the General Lee or the A-Team van, it doesn’t get much cooler than the iconic K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider. And now, if you’re a big fan of the show, and an even bigger fan of the car, it can be yours if, you guessed it, the price is right.

According to the owner, this vehicle up for auction is not one of the many built for the series and smashed during action sequences. No fans, this is what’s known as a “hero car” which in Hollywood speak means it was used for close-ups and important scenes and, as such, is quite detailed.

Created by auto legend George Barris, this modified 1982 Pontiac Trans/Am looks to be in great shape and would make any car collector proud. Of course, you have to have the dough if you want to pick up this fine example of automotive history.

Bidding starts at $150,000. Who’s’ going for it?

History Channel to Extend Season Two of ‘Top Gear USA’

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We love cars here at The Shiftcast. Big surprise, right? Well, we also love TV. So, when we can combine these two, we are pretty excited indeed.

You can probably guess, then, how we feel about a little BBC TV show called Top Gear. That’s right, we love it. With that in mind, then, how do we feel about the US version of Top Gear which airs on the History Channel and is hosted by comedian and car buff Adam Ferrara, champion rally and drift racer Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood?

Well, um, it’s complicated.

We tried to like it. Really, we did. We want to like it. We want it to succede because the world needs more fun, entertaining shows about cool cars on TV. Sadly, it just isn’t very good.

Let’s face it, Clarkson, May and Hammond are a tough act to follow and the US version has a long way to go. Still, we won’t give up on it just yet.

Neither will History Channel, it seems. Top Gear USA’s ratings for the second season improved greatly over the first to an average of 1.9 million viewers per episode. As a result of that increase, the network plans to extend the season with eight new episodes and is already in production on them at a secret location outside of Los Angeles, CA.

Ok, it’s actually in Irvine, but don’t tell anyone.

The new episodes are set to premiere in 2012 but as yet we don’t have a firm date. We’ll let you know when we do.

Jeremy Clarkson and James May Discuss ‘Top Gear Live’ 2011

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If you’re a fan of cars and outrageous stunts you’re probably a frequent watcher of the BBC’s very popular series Top Gear. After a relaunch in 2002, the show has taken off and is now one of the most popular motoring series in the world.

Fortunately, we get it here in the States as well and have become big fans of those funny, crazy and occasionally controversial presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. With the new season of Top Gear in full swing the boys are set to try something new this year to further entrain their fans.

That something is Top Gear Live. In short, it’s a live version of the show featuring the presenters and, of course, The Stig. It wil also feature a huge indoor track and racing, explosions and more.

But really, why listen to me talk about it? Let Jeremy and James explain it to you instead. Click through for a video that does just that.

Top Gear Live is in Birmingham from the 11th – 13th of November and in London from the 24th – 27th. Yes folks, that’s in England. Sorry Top Gear fans in the U.S. and elsewhere, there’ no plans for a Top Gear Live in your area . . . at least not yet.

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Check Out This Real Tron Lightcycle

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When you’re watching a movie like Tron: Legacy which features several very cool vehicles such as the awesome Light Cycle it’s easy to wonder “What if?” What if someone decided to make one for real?

Well, wonder no more because someone has. Actually, a group of kick-ass chopper fanatics has, to be exact.

The folks over at Parker Brothers Choppers used lithium-ion batteries and a 96-volt electric motor to build a real-life version of the bikes made famous by the first Tron movie and then taken to the next level in the second. But wait, it gets better.

They are holding a contest and are going to give one of the bikes to a lucky winner. To enter, all you have to do is make short video (three minutes or less) describing why you deserve to claim the cycle as yours. It’s that simple.

To see the cycle in action, check out a video of it after the break. Head over to the Parker Brothers site for more information on the giveaway.

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Prepare Yourself for Epic Trike Racing

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Here’s something you don’t see every day. Or, you do if you’re into racing tricycles at ludicrous speed downhill with minimal, if any, safety precautions.

That’s right, I’m talking about Epic Trike Racing. These crazy daredevils hurl themselves down mountain passes on modified trikes with nothing but their shoes to slow them down. During this time they reach speeds of over 55 miles per hour.

That’s pretty fast — especially if you’re on a trike. Also, it looks kinda dangerous. As in, don’t try this at home unless you like taking your life into your own hands.

However, watching video of others doing it is safe as can be. Check out the video after the break.

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