Sunday, April 1, 2012

Mystery Movie Car?

While going through StreetViewFun the other day, I saw a picture of a really cool car.  I went onto Google Earth StreetView and found it, capturing a few more angles.  The location was in Turin (Torino), Italy. 

I confess that I'm not up on supercars, but I don't think it's a production car.  Also, if you'll notice, it's being followed by a movie industry camera truck (with the cameras pointed the wrong way!).  It may be a custom car for whatever it was they were shooting.  Any ideas?  More pictures after the jump.

Click to enlarge

UPDATE:  Mystery solved thanks to a Jalopnik reader named Raphael.  It's the Giugiaro Quaranta Concept car from 2008.  This is a quote from the Jalopnik article:  

"The Italian design house used Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive to power their idea of a futuristic super car employing state-of-the-art F1 technology. Giugiaro claims: "It is an "extreme", ecological, 4WD super-sportscar, the first hybrid car with mid-engine and driving position and a roomy cabin able to accommodate three adults plus a baby in complete comfort." 

What it was doing on the street with a camera truck following it, I have no idea, but apparently it's also been used as at taxi!!  Go figure.    


Diesel Engines from 1905

The following is an article from the Sept 1905 issue of Popular Mechanics concerning diesel engines.  I've been a fan of diesels ever since buying my 2001 Golf TDI and found this interesting.  Maybe you will too.