Filed under: Gadgets , Etc. , Safety , Crossovers/CUVs , BMW Click above for huge gallery of high-res photos of the bulletproof BMW X5 Security Plus If Jason Statham’s character, Frank, decides to switch back to a BMW in The Transporter 4 , we think we have his new ride picked out. Or maybe Clive Owen just needs to film another episode of The Driver . BMW has just released info on its first Class Six bullet resistant vehicle, the BMW X5 Security Plus, which happens to be the first vehicle ever available to the public with that classification from a high-volume manufacturer. That means that its skin can handle anything up to a AK-47 assault rifle, the weapon-of-choice for terrorists, pirates and kidnappers around the globe. Besides thicker bulletproof glass, BMW has added heavier armored body panels all around, as well as sealing up all of the joints to bolster protection in normally vulnerable body panel gaps. The Security Plus models are partially built alongside the regular models in Spartanburg, SC, and then sent to Toluca, Mexico for final assembly. Some of the special features that are fitted include a beefed-up suspension with special run-flat tires, an intercom system to communicate with people outside the vehicle, a hold-up alarm that automatically locks windows and doors, plus sirens and flashing lights too. There’s also a list of options that includes a rear view camera and a front-bumper-mounted side view camera. It’s powered by BMW’s 355 horsepower, 4.80-liter V8, and even with the extra equipment, this crossover can scoot from 0 to 62 miles-per-hour in 8.2 seconds on its way to a top speed electronically limited to 112 mph. There’s a full press release after the jump and a huge high-res gallery too. You’ll see there is very little to tip evil-doers that the person inside is worthy of attention, until the need to escape arises and the lights go on. BMW handles sales of these vehicles in a very discreet manner and even offers special driver training so anyone can become The Driver. Gallery: BMW X5 Security Plus [Source: BMW] Continue reading BMW launches AK-47 thwarting X5 Security Plus BMW launches AK-47 thwarting X5 Security Plus originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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In the excitement of putting the website backend fires out yesterday, we missed a raft of new product announcements from Acer, including the ” AspireRevo “. It’s not just a ridiculous name, but instead a tiny desktop PC that is the first to use Nvidia’s Intel-irking Ion platform, which weds an Intel Atom CPU with a custom Nvidia graphics chip. That means the AspireRevo can not only handle decoding 1080p video and 7.1 audio, but will actually be able to run 3D games at a playable (if modest) speed. All that in a box that will probably cost around $300—once other manufacturers start using Ion, driving prices down. Hopefully it won’t be long before we start seeing the first netbooks with Ion inside, as well.

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Acer AspireRevo, a tiny PC powered by Nvidia Ion

Filed under: Gadgets , Etc. , Videos The iPhone 3.0 software is due to be released later this year, and in addition to allowing GPS applications to display turn-by-turn directions , Apple’s uber-device will finally bring something other smartphone users have been enjoying for a while: Bluetooth audio streaming. With the new feature enabled on the iPhone, the device can be paired with a Bluetooth-equipped stereo, allowing users to ditch their cables and those infernal FM transmitters, to enjoy streaming audio from the iPhone’s music player. KickingTires head-honcho and former Autoblog Editor, Dave Thomas, got his paws on the new 3.0 software ahead of its release this summer and put the Bluetooth functionality to the test on a Toyota Venza. The verdict? It works as advertised. And it’s about time. Check out the video demonstration after the jump. [Source: KickingTires ] Continue reading VIDEO: Bluetooth gains another use, streaming audio from iPhone VIDEO: Bluetooth gains another use, streaming audio from iPhone originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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Filed under: Gadgets , Audi , Lifestyle Audi teamed up with Munich-based watchmaker Chronoswiss to create the Tachoscope, celebrating 100 years of Audi. The mechanical timepiece has a chronograph and tachometer function (to measure velocity) inspired by the Auto Unions that helped define the Audi adventure: the second hand’s numerals are derived from the tach in the Auto Union Type C Grand Prix racer. Also novel is the fact that the hour hand resides in the upper inset dial — the large hands are the second hand and chronograph. The watch face is enamel and the crown is diagonally fluted like a gear, and the back cover is glass. The Tachoscope comes in two flavors: white gold and platinum. Thankfully, the back cover is glass so you can see where your €14,900 ($19,800 USD) has been spent if you plunked down for white gold, with the platinum edition setting you back €24,900 ($33,000 USD). Only 100 examples will be made, and you can read all about them in the press release after the jump. [Source: Audi] Continue reading Audi centennial timepiece celebrates 100 years on four wheels with four hands Audi centennial timepiece celebrates 100 years on four wheels with four hands originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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Audi centennial timepiece celebrates 100 years on four wheels with four hands