We enjoy Kanye West’s blog, if for no other reason than it allows us a glimpse of the world through Kanye’s eyes, even if he doesn’t actually write the blog. But regardless of whether or not he even reads the blog, there are plenty of posts up there that smack of that unique Kanye style, even if they don’t necessarily relate to the average person.But this short post about the Deus Ex Machina, a hybrid vehicle that is part-motorcycle, part-robotic exoskeleton, seems like something we all can actually use.

It’s only at its concept stage right now, but it certainly looks like a revolutionary piece of automotive technology. It was originally designed by Jake Loniak, an Art Center Pasadena student who claims it can go from zero to 60 in about three seconds, and has been branded by Yamaha. We’re about ready to line up for ours, although we suspect Kanye might be ahead of us in line, even if he doesn’t write his blog.

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Although this year’s Isle of Man TT races have recently come to an end, many are already looking forward to next year’s event. In 2009, for the first time ever, the normal races will be run alongside the world’s first “clean emissions grand prix.” The event organizers hope to prove that “being green does not mean being slow.” Any vehicle which is perceived as being green, either by being powered by electrons or by carbon neutral fuels, is encouraged to enter to race on the 101 year-old racing circuit. Both two and three-wheeled vehicles are said to be allowable.

According to Environment Minister John Shimmin, “The Isle of Man has a great tradition in both racing and technological innovation. Combining the world’s greatest road racing circuit with state-of-the-art clean emission technologies brings yet another fantastic first for the Island.” Current plans call for three one lap races on Senior Race Day. That would mean that the green races would be held after the official TT race has concluded.

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Thanks to an anonymous tipster, we know have the first official images of the all-new BMW 7-Series! However, since we don’t have any official technical information whatsoever, we’ll stick to the car’s design. First of all, it’s much better looking than the current 7er, but then again, anythingis prettier than that.

If you love clichés, the rear quarter of the new 7-Series does remind us of the Hyundai Genesis sedan, but bear in mind that the Koreans were the ones to copy BMW not the other way around. The new Bavarian flagship model’s exterior styling does share many elements from the CS Concept, especially in concern of the front-end design. We also have the first photos of the interior which doesn’t seem as loaded and “heavy” in terms of styling compared to the current 7-Series. The design pretty much follows in the footsteps of the current bimmers, albeit the centre console does look to be more driver orientated. see photos after the jump Continued

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Tata Motors’ diminutive Nano is getting closer to Job 1. if all goes as planned (and when doesn’t that happen in the auto industry?) production of the Nano should kick off early this fall. As that date approaches, a number of questions arise. As an extremely fast growing economy, India faces one of the common problems of such scenarios: high inflation. With inflation running at 10 percent right now, will Tata still be able to meet its $2,500 price target? Regardless of price the Nano utlimately sells for, what comes next? Tata is reportedly working on cleaner and greener versions of the Nano to help deal with the issues of pollution and rising fuel prices. Tata has previously licensed the compressed air car technology developed by MDI and an air car based on the Nano seems like a good possibility. Battery powered and micro-hybrid (auto start-stop) are also likely.

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Mercedes — like a lot of other folks — believes oil is going to run out eventually. But instead of waiting until the “Low on Oil” light comes on, the brand behind the three-pointed-star has set a goal to convert its entire fleet to run on alternative fuels by 2015. That’s seven years to get off the drink we’ve all been addicted to for well over a century.

In the pipeline first are fuel-efficient technologies such as Stop/Start on the marque’s next A- and B-Class models sold in Europe. Then come the BlueEfficiency vehicles with Mercedes’ supremely parsimonious diesel engines, and eventually the Diesotto first shown in the F700.

And then come the real showstoppers: ethanol, electric, and fuel cell vehicles. There are electric smarts running trials in London right now, and the F600 Hygenius is expected to eventually spawn some sort of production variant. On the face of it, seven years to go diesel- and gas-optional for an entire fleet is somewhat hard to fathom — but the prediction is coming from a company not previously known for wild daring. Even if they just get close to success, in only seven years, they might prove a nearby rival wrong about what’s doable under the new CAFE laws.

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We see a lot of rendered speculation on upcoming models, but they’re seldom penned by renowned designers. However as Fiat prepares to revive the classic Topolino, Italian magazine Ruoteclassiche commissioned designer Paolo Martin – former of Bertone, Pininfarina and Ghia – to render his interpretation of how the tiny retro runabout could (or should) look.

Martin says he strove to “maintain the original spirit” of the Topolino, “with similar proportions, protruding front end and fenders, a nearly-identical grille, circular headlamps, short rear overhang and spare tire covered and integrated in the rear tailgate.” The Topolino will be built at Fiat’s newly-acquired Zastava plant in Serbia as a budget city-car, positioned below the 500, and despite Panda/500 underpinnings could get a rear-engine layout for the 0.9-liter two cylinder engine with DSG and start-stop technology.

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David Beckham was spotted cruising Beverly Hills with his three sons in his all-new, already fully customized Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead.The Drophead rolls on custom-built 24-inch Savini Forged wheels, color-matched exterior trim and Beckham’s “23” embroidered onto the seats. Redefining “bespoke”, Beckham gives the Drophead a more aggressive, yet elegant look.

In 2004, Rolls-Royce unveiled its 100EX, an experimental drophead built to celebrate 100 years of the brand. In its two world tours, the 100EX received positive feedback from customers, and in 2005 the brand announced that a production version would be available by 2007.

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It has arrived. Kia Motors decided to pull it early and release the first official images of the 2009/10 Forte today. Acting as the replacement for the aging Spectra/Cerato compact, the Forte will roll into Korean showrooms on August 22.

The Forte was penned by acclaimed designer Peter Schreyer, who was responsible for designing the first-generation Audi TT and Volkswagen New Beetle. It is one of the brand’s first models to carry its new sharper corporate look. One of the main elements of the new look is the corporate grille found on the KOUP Concept, KEE Concept, and now the Forte. The rear resembles the Hyundai Elantra and vaguely, the Lexus IS.

The Forte will be powered by a brand new 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. A more powerful 2.0-liter 4-cyliner engine will be released after the launch. The Forte will roll into U.S. showrooms in 2009, and a two-door variant will follow some months later.

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Tatra, not to be confused with the Indian carmaker Tata, is a Czech vehicle manufacturer founded in 1850 that produced its first motor car in 1897 and the last one, in 1999 (it continues to build trucks today). Though the company has no official plans to create a new car, Czech magazine AutoDesign&Styling summoned designer Mike Jelinek to draw up a concept of a futuristic Tatra model. Jelinek came up with the Tatra 903 Concept, a fuel-cell powered 4door-coupe.

Here’s what Jelinek had to say about his creation:

“The water drop shaped back refers to one of the most characteristic values of Tatra, the aerodynamics – same as covered rear wheels. It may look retro, but in the term of aerodynamic optimization it has its own purpose,” said Jelinek.

“The A-pillar has moved in the axis of the car – again, not just a quotation of split screen theme pointing back to the original models, but certainly a safety factor designed to offer a better view from the car. I didn’t want to refer to any model from the history of this legendary manufacturer, but I tried to catch something like the spirit of Tatra cars and bring it to aesthetics of the 21st century.” added Jelinek.

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While sales in other countries have mostly fallen in recent months, French car dealers are happy right now. With an overall first half of the year increase of 4.5 percent, small and mini cars have led the way with a 15 percent jump in France. Small cars now comprise nearly half of all new car sales and French brands Renault and Peugeot/Citroen have grabbed 60 percent of that segment. The new French tax schemes add extra fees to vehicles that emit more CO₂ while buyers of cleaner cars actually get money back. Buyers of cars that emit less than 130g/km of CO₂ are eligible for rebates ranging from 200 Euros to 5,000 Euros for low or zero emissions vehicles. Cars that emit from 160g/km to 250g/km of CO₂ face taxes of 200-2,600 Euros.

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