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Toyota reveals 'Winglet' assistance robots, Segways beware [w/VIDEO

Toyota’s bid to completely take over the world with robots is getting ever closer to fruition. Its latest endeavor is intended to place mankind on moving platforms — very Segway-esque. Coming in Small, Medium and Large sizes, Toyota’s Winglet places its riders in a standing position, likely to dissuade notions of the future portrayed in Pixar’s recent Wall-E movie in which humans spent their time in more relaxed positions. Powered by an electric motor, the Winglet’s two wheels are closely monitored by on-board sensors that constantly adjust the movements of the machine to keep everything upright. At just 6 kilometers per hour it ain’t very vest and can’t go too far with its 5-10 kilometer range, but it makes up for these issues by taking just one hour to charge. Testing is currently underway, with human trials expected to begin this Autumn in Japan. Presumably after that there’ll be a version with handle bar-mounted guns that’s able to round up humans in a pen. Check out the video of Toyota’s winglet in action after the jump.

Edo Competition raises the bar with the Murcielago LP710/2

German tuner edo competition is determined to leave no supercar untouched, and the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 is the latest to undergo the conversion. Starting with the 6.5L V12, edo adds high performance camshafts, upgraded cylinder heads, and new high flow air filters. The exhaust system is also reworked, including new headers, high-flow cats, and new mufflers. The result is 710 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, good for a 0-60 mph sprint in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 224 mph. Additional modifications include a conversion to RWD, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a new aerodynamically efficient adjustable rear wing. Follow the jump for full details in the press release and check out the gallery below.

Chinese companies selling $1,400 Dodge Tomahawk knock-off

Back before Chrysler was bought by Cerberus, you could always count on the automaker to roll out something truly special at the Detroit Auto Show. Whether by stampeding an entire herd of cattle through downtown Detroit or putting motorcycle bits all around the V10 engine of a Viper, Dodge has always found a way to capture people’s attention. The Viper-inspired Tomahawk motorcycle was especially memorable. It seems that some are still miffed that Dodge never offered the fabled bike as a regular production machine, though a few were in fact created and sold as non-runners. Now a company (or companies, who knows?) in China has decided to offer a motorcycle based on the design of Dodge’s original concept. We should stress that this is in no way a replica, as the original V10 engine has been replaced by a single cylinder 150cc engine and CVT transmission from a scooter. It’s not street legal and also cannot be sold in California. As with all small-bore motorcycles and scooters coming from China with questionable origins, we really cannot recommend you purchase one for yourself with visions of riding it to work. If you just want to see it in your garage though, it’ll surely work as a rolling sculpture quite nicely.

No plans to release Mazda6 hybrid

Despite having the ability to snatch the 2.3-liter gasoline-electric hybrid from FoMoCo’s arsenal – the same engine found in the Mazda Tribute Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid and 2009 Fusion – Mazda has decided to keep the new Mazda6 hybrid-free for the time being. Jay Amestoy, veep of public and governmental affairs for Mazda, told InsideLine that the automaker is content that the new 6 can hold its own against the competition, despite the high cost of fuel. “Our real-world MPG numbers will be strong, and we think the fuel economy is pretty good the way it is.”

The 2009 Mazda6, equipped with the base 2.5-liter four and a manual transmission is rated at 20/29 mpg on the EPA’s city/highway estimates, while the 3.7-liter V6-equipped model comes in at 17/25 mpg.

Sales of hybrids continued to rise, but consumer’s tastes seem to favor dedicated hybrid models like the Prius, instead of hybrid sedans and cute ‘utes based off normal models originally equipped with traditional powerplants.

2009 Audi A4 sedan and wagon priced

The 2009 Audi A4 sedan and Avant will be hitting lots later this year, and before dealers can begin taking orders in September, they’ve got to let people know what it’ll cost to get behind the wheel of the thoroughly revised entry-level Audi.

Prices for the sedan start at $32,700, equipped with the all-new 2.0-liter TFSI four that sends 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque through the front wheels. Quattro will be available on the four-banger, along with Audi’s six-seed Tiptronic transmission. Buyers that opt for the Avant will have to shell out $34,500 for the added hatch, extra cargo room and standard Quattro all-wheel-drive. If you choose the 3.2-liter FSI V6, the six-speed manumatic is standard, along with the Quattro system.

Dealers will have a limited supply of A4 sedans and wagons available for test-drives later this month and customer deliveries should begin later in September. Follow the jump for full details in Audi’s press release.

Pontiac G3 not coming to the U.S... yet

Despite the fact that Canadian Pontiac dealers are already selling the new Pontiac G3 and that the U.S. EPA has certified the model for sale in the U.S., GM is not currently planning on bringing the model over the border. The G3 is basically a badge-engineered version of the Chevy Aveo, itself a relatively new design in five-door trim. While the front-end and grille of the Poncho may actually be a bit nicer looking than the in-yer-face gaping maw of the Chevy, it still features those unfortunate and ungainly fake side vents. Yuck.

Considering that the G3 would be rated at a relatively good 25/34 with the auto and 27/34 with the standard five-speed stick, we wouldn’t be surprised if the G3 did eventually make it into U.S. showrooms nationwide. The G3 could be a fuel efficient, entry-level stepping stone into more expensive options at combined Buick/Pontiac/GMC dealerships.

Second drive: 2009 Ford Flex SEL AWD, I concur!

As things turned out a brand new Ford Flex turned up the Ypsilanti branch of the Autoblog garage just a week after my friend Chris had one. While Chris used the Flex as a daily hauler, my family and I used the Flex to make a trek up to Traverse City in the opposite corner of Michigan’s lower peninsula for a vacation. Our all-wheel-drive Flex was slightly less loaded than Chris’ unit, missing the navigation system and built in refrigerator. The gray vacation mobile also had the base 18 inch wheel package rather than the 19s on Chris’ tester.

Since we had rented a house by lake, we decided to bring a bunch of food and assorted other stuff so that we wouldn’t have to eat out all the time. The massive interior volume of the Flex made loading up the back a breeze. The well behind the third row seats easily holds a full-size cooler and folding the rear seats forward provides a perfect platform for suitcases beach towels, floaties for lounging on the water or whatever else you choose to bring along. Read the rest of my impressions after the jump.

Rendering pays homage to BMW M1 and Dodge Challenger

Combining a Dodge with a BMW doesn’t sound like a good idea. But then again, sound and sight are two different things. So just when we thought we’d seen it all, we’re thrown for a surprise.

A Russian illustrator by the name of Remio, evidently quite skilled with the Photoshop and CAD, has managed to blend the new Dodge Challenger with the BMW M1 Homage show car, and the results are rather surprising. While some rendered speculation can prove to be quite close to the mark when the subject goes into production, we’ll have to file this one squarely in the “never gonna happen” folder. Shame.

First images of new Compass, Patriot interiors surface

Chrysler has taken a beating from both consumers and the media regarding the poor quality and materials inside the majority of its products, particularly the Jeep Patriot and Compass. Recognizing the problem, Chrysler made the announcement earlier this year that it would be seriously revamping both model’s interiors in short order, and judging by these leaked images from the 2009 Mopar Accessory brochure, they weren’t lying.

Looking at the pictures from the brochure, the model with the gray and black interior is the refreshed version, while the beige picture (with heated seats!) seems to be the new ‘09 dash with the pre-2009 door panels. The dash is all new and looks to be a step-up, while the leather seats have been revised and look more upscale than before. Perhaps the greatest difference will be the door panels, which featured hard plastics, chintzy buttons and switches that were directly in the way of where your arm should go. The new 2009 interior puts these items in recesses, which was sorely needed. We’ll reserve final judgment until we get to see and feel the updates in person.

Spy Shots: 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLK

A Quarter Pounder with cheese isn’t exactly Schupfnudeln and Kölsch, but some Mercedes-Benz engineers decided to slum it while putting the new CLK through hot weather testing. That stop at the Golden Arches put Stuttgart’s camouflaged efforts under the scrutiny of the Automotive Traveler’s long lenses. The CLK, or at least that’s what it’s believed to be, looks like an awful lot of energy has been expended in the area of the C-pillar and rear quarter panel. The vigorous coverup in that particular area is fueling suspicions that the CLK will be getting the CLS banana-boat treatment, complete with the “Coupe” moniker.

Most of the details have been carefully obscured, but we’re not expecting to have our hair blown back when the wraps come off. AT thinks that the camo indicates a car that’s 12-18 months away, and that the debut will likely be at the 2009 Frankfurt show, where brats and brew are more readily available.