-Google’s koala-esque self-driving car is definitely aiming for “cute” with its design. A bubbly little pod that looks like it should be emitting Jetsons noises as it trundles harmlessly through a picturesque Silicon Valley campus, it’s pretty obvious that the autonomous vehicle’s designers wanted it to come across as adorably inoffensive. – And this past weekend, Google brought its latest prototypes to Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain
-We knew it had to happen eventually, and now it’s here: Jeremy Clarkson has tweeted that he’ll soon take his very last lap of the Top Gear track. This really makes it feel like the end of an era. – – Right. About to do my last ever lap of the Top Gear test track. What car should I use? pic.twitter.com/xbaZkEi3sE – — Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 13, 2015 –
We’ve known for some time that, after its one-year hiatus from the U.S. market, Lotus will resume sales here this December with its more powerful and newly safety compliant 2016 Evora 400 coupe, which made its official debut in March at the Geneva auto show. We even know how much it will cost. Now, thanks to a report in Automotive News, we have learned that it will be followed six
– According to a report in Automotive News, Nissan will bring its European-market Qashqai crossover to North America, to slot below the Rogue as a smaller compact entry. – The Qashqai was recently redesigned after the debut version’s highly successful six-year run. The British-built crossover is offered in Europe with two diesels and a 113-hp 1.2-liter gasoline-powered four. A 161-hp 1.6-liter gas four-cylinder recently joined the lineup—presumably that would be the engine for our market.
Add another model to the ever-increasing roster of vehicles being recalled for potentially dangerous Takata airbags: Automotive News reports that the 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger is being recalled to fix the driver’s airbag, manufactured by Takata. – In all, 88,346 Challengers built between September 2007 and October 2010 are affected by the recall, according to the NHTSA. The newly added Challengers did not appear on parent company FCA’s original list of Takata
Tod’s Gommino shoes Italian apparel and accessories maker Tod’s is inviting consumers to the Gommino Club for the opportunity to customize a pair of its Gommino loafers. The made-to-order style is available for both men and women and allows the consumer to personalize the leather finish and laces in his or her preferred color. Although available only at select boutiques, Tod’s has created an online hub for the Gommino Club to
Tartufi & Friends truffle cocktail British retailer Harrods is updating its high-end culinary offerings with a new truffle-themed restaurant on the department store’s lower ground floor. Opening in April, Harrods has invited Italian truffle lounge Tartufi & Friends to craft a menu entirely devoted to earthy truffles including appetizers, main courses, dessert and cocktails within the store. With outposts in Milan and Rome, Tartufi & Friends’ experience will appeal to
Conspicuous consumption has given way to conscious consumption; image courtesy of Bloomingdale’s The United States may be in a post-recession period, but many of the spending values created during the time have stayed with affluent consumers, causing a hesitancy to spend, according to a report from Unity Marketing. While counterintuitive, affluent consumers feel wealthier today, but are less likely to use their perceived wealth, causing a drop in consumption of
Image from the Marc Jacobs spring/summer 2015 campaign U. S. fashion brand Marc Jacobs is thinking pink this spring with the release of its spring/summer 2015 campaign video and a fun, new paint job for the Mercer Street store in New York. The brand embraced a pink hue this season, emphasizing the color in the short promotional video it released, and even painted the front of the store in downtown New
Burberry Bee bags Department store chain Neiman Marcus is giving consumers access to exclusive personalization through its ecommerce site. Starting Monday, March 23, consumers who purchase Burberry’s Bee handbag from the retailer can have it hand painted by artisans in Italy. This is the first time this type of customization has been offered for the Bee, and granting consumers access to unique items will likely make an impression. Make it
