Hack a Tesla, win $10,000

In the world of computers, competitions that challenge so-called "white hat" hackers are fairly common. Break into this system in X minutes and we'll give you Y dollars. Rarely, though, does this world cross over with the realm of automobiles.

At the 2014 SyScan Conference, which runs from July 16 to 17 in Beijing, hackers have the chance to win $10,000, provided they can break into the systems of a Tesla Model S. According to BidnessETC, in order to win, a successful hack will need to remotely access the 17-inch touchscreen display (shown above) that dominates the Model S cabin in order to surf the Internet and access the vehicle's controls.

While we're not computer experts, it seems like a tall order. The Model S may maintain a constant data signal via its driver's cellphone, but it seems unlikely that Tesla hasn't installed a comprehensive security system to prevent electronic tampering. Tesla, for what it's worth, has no part in the competition.

It will be interesting to see if there are any successful attempts. As Forbes mentions, hackers have been successful in gaining access to more conventional automobiles, although those attempts were under the watchful supervision of DARPA researchers.

Of course, we'll find out just how potent the company's security efforts are when the conference kicks off next week.

Read More

| No comments

VW Tiguan to get three-row version?

The Volkswagen Tiguan is starting to get a little long in the tooth, and the German automaker is reportedly already deep in development on the second-generation model. If rumors prove true, Volkswagen may be keeping a big secret when it comes to the new compact crossover. Company insiders speaking to Autocar claim that there are both five- and seven-passenger versions of the next Tiguan in the works. It raises an interesting question about the future of the larger Crossblue concept, though.

According to the sources, the five-passenger, second-gen Tiguan is about a year away from its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. The new CUV rides on VW's MQB platform, and its size is roughly the same as the current model. The even bigger news from the insiders hits a few months later when a longer-wheelbase, seven-passenger Tiguan with three rows of seats is unveiled at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show.

Here's where it gets confusing: VW CEO Martin Winterkorn announced at the 2014 Detroit show that the Crossblue was coming to the US in 2016. In concept form, it also used the MQB platform and seats seven. It seems rather odd for an automaker to introduce a pair of three-row CUVs on the same chassis in the same year in the US. Although, it's possible that this could just be a name change for the production Crossblue, it doesn't seem likely. It could also be that Tiguan's third row will be a much smaller, occasional-use only sort of proposition, in much the same way that Nissan now offers its Rogue compact CUV with three rows, yet it also markets the much larger Pathfinder (though admittedly they aren't on the same chassis). We've contacted Volkswagen to straighten this story out, and we'll update you when we hear back.

Read More

| No comments

Top Gear in hot water after staging crash at scene of fatal accident

The guys from UK's Top Gear just can't seem to stay out of trouble, especially main host Jeremy Clarkson. Usually, it's the things that come out of their mouths that cause controversy, like the two recent accusations of using racing slurs. However, the show's latest problem came not from what was said but from where they were shooting and how.

According to the Daily Mail, Clarkson and James May were recently shooting a segment for the next season of the show in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England. The filming involved the two of them crashing Peugeots that they were driving. May's car ended up in the ditch and Clarkson's in a field â€" hardly groundbreaking for Top Gear. The controversy arose because a woman died in 2010 in a head-on collision nearby on the same road, and while also driving a Peugeot.

The Daily Mail admitted that the choice of location was likely unintentional, and spokespeople for the show haven't commented on the incident. However, local politicians called the situation "reckless and insensitive." With the BBC already giving Clarkson his last warning to watch what he says, any added controversy for the show comes at a bad time.

Read More

| No comments

Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet nears production readiness

Mercedes-Benz has lifted some camouflage off the C-Class Cabriolet, the vehicle that will finally give the German manufacturer a dedicated challenger to the BMW 4 Series Convertible and Audi A5 Convertible.

As has been reported already, there's a folding canvas roof below that camouflaged faux hardtop. We'll admit, we do find it somewhat surprising that Mercedes isn't going with a folding metal roof, like competitor BMW. Aside from that detail, expect the C-Class Cab's sheetmetal to be nearly identical to its four-door counterpart below the beltline.

As for when we can expect this new model to arrive, there's no clear date, although it does look remarkably production ready. If it doesn't debut earlier, we'd expect to see the new C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October. As for where it will be built, don't expect either two-door C-Class to head to Alabama. For reasons unclear, Mercedes will likely opt to keep production of both the coming Coupe and Cabriolet in Germany.

Keep an eye open for more on the new C-Class Cabriolet in the coming weeks and months, and in the meantime, check out the spy shots above.

Read More

| No comments

Fast & Furious 7 shooting wraps, cast thank-you note mourns Paul Walker

Shooting has officially wrapped on the latest installment of the Fast and Furious franchise, and as part of that, the cast and crew has issued a touching note that pays tribute to the new members of the film, the series' late star, Paul Walker and of course, the fans.

"There was a time when we didn't know how we could go on, or even if we should. But we listened to you, and you inspired us not only to keep going but to try and make the best Fast and Furious movie yet," the note read.

The film, which reunites Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, has had a troubled production following the death of Walker. The script was rewritten and Walker's brothers, Caleb and Cody, stepped in to help complete the Walker's unfinished scenes.

"From the start, Vin has been our leader who feels what's right for Fast in his gut and in his heart. When we had to stop production last year, Vin gathered us back together and moved us forward when we needed it most. He led us to this day," the note continued.

We've included the full note below. Scroll down and have a look. Fast and Furious 7 arrives in theaters on April 3, 2015.

We made it.

Today we completed the last shot in the production of FAST & FURIOUS 7.

We wanted to take this moment to express how thankful we are for your support. We felt the love and strength from our fans throughout this journey, and it's because of you that we got here.

There was a time when we didn't know how we could go on, or even if we should. But we listened to you, and you inspired us not only to keep going but to try and make the best FAST & FURIOUS movie yet.

Our FAST family has been together for almost fifteen years now and has grown a lot in that time. From the start, Vin has been our leader who feels what's right for FAST in his gut and in his heart. When we had to stop production last year, Vin gathered us back together and moved us forward when we needed it most. He led us to this day.

Some of us have been here from the very beginning. Vin, Michelle, Jordana and our producer Neal all go back to that first little movie we shot on the streets of LA. We came back to LA in FAST 7, and it was an especially emotional homecoming for those who've grown up with each other since that first shoot.

There are those we count as brothers who we gathered along the way and are with us again: Dwayne, Tyrese, Luda, Lucas and our writer, Chris. We've got some new additions this time in Jason, Kurt, Djimon, Nathalie and our director, James. Caleb and Cody joined us to honor their brother and help complete his work.

Our family is big and strong but it won't ever quite be whole again without Paul.

All of us -- those who've been here from the start and those whose first FAST film is 7 -- wanted to create a special film for him and for you. We believe we have.

Thank you for being there for us. You are the biggest part of our family, and we couldn't have gotten here without you.

The countdown to April 3 begins.

Read More

| No comments