The ultimate Gallardo successor is still a mystery and many predict that it will not happen before 2012 which means rumors about an updated Lambo Gallardo LP570-4 model get your adrenaline to higher levels. Supposedly headed for the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the nomenclature signifies the addition of 10hp which will take the overall count to 570 horsies equally distributed to the four wheels of the new Gallardo. Minor changes on the inside will also be evident along with changes on the outside embracing aerodynamics — a new front spoiler, a carbon fiber rear wing and an all new front suspension arrangement. Carbon ceramic brakes may help the car come to a halt but this is again an assumption as of now. [via Autoblog]

Source: Alex Ion

Taking the train in Japan and want to avoid irking fellow passengers? Keep conversation to a whisper, turn down your iPod and put your cellphone on vibration mode.

When it comes to ridership manners on Japan’s vast network of subways and commuter trains, many foreign visitors have complained to me about the pushing and shoving and reluctance to give up seats for senior citizens and pregnant women.

But for local riders noise is the biggest issue, with loud conversation and music from headphones the top two offenders and cellphone ringtones in fourth place, a survey on train manners by a railway association showed.

Applying make-up ranked as the sixth-biggest breach of rail etiquette, worse than drunkeness at No.9, which just edged out bringing strollers onto crowded trains, according to the survey by the Association of Japanese Private Railways.

As for me? Nothing annoys me more than when the guy sitting next to me falls asleep and tries to use my shoulder for a pillow!

Here are the top 10 examples of bad rail manners according to the association’s online survey, with responses from about 4,200 people:

1. Noisy conversation, horsing around

2. Music from headphones

3. The way passengers sit

4. Cellphone ringtones and talking on phones

5. Manners when getting on and off trains

6. Applying make-up

7. Littering

8. Sitting on the floor of the train

9. Riding the train drunk

10. Riding a crowded train with a child stroller

Photo credit: REUTERS/Kiyoshi Ota

Source: Chris Gallagher

Not sure how much snow you had this Christmas but if it’s something like in the video below, you may want to make sure you have winter tires on your car otherwise this could happen to you, too.

Source: Alex Ion

German car fans at the Dubai Motor Show were in for a special treat as PPI Automotive Design revealed their much hyped, A8 based, PPI Razor GTR at the event. The difference between the Razor introduced in Dubai and the previous variants was the scorcher adoring the Visible Carbon Fiber Widebody package with a high gloss finish. The additional gloss factor was made possible courtesy of several layers of coat over the regular carbon fiber body. The carbon fiber covers the body panel, fenders, bumpers, lids and even sideblades but spares the engine which is covered by a Polycarbonate layer. Under the hood, the PPI Razor showcased in Dubai houses the same V8 engine capable of churning 580 horses. The V10 engine which renders 600 hp was also an option on display. Both the engine options help the car clock 60mph in just 3.7 seconds.

Source: Alex Ion

The Ferrari camp is always special at all major auto shows across the globe and the one they’ll show in Geneva next year, will be no different as we’re talking about a hybrid version of the 599 GTB. Although the Italians haven’t officially confirmed any of these, word is (and we’d like to believe it) that a Ferrari 599 GTB Hybrid will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. The hybrid version will sport a combination of an electric motor and a system of lithium-ion batteries, both of which will together be placed on either sides of the transaxle. Compared to the regular 599 GTB Fiorano, this one will come with a 35% improvement in fuel consumption. Also assisting the hybrid power-train will be a brake regeneration system, a start stop technology and an electric boost system. It will be interesting to see how the world receives a hybrid version of an otherwise scorching car.

Source: Alex Ion