Auto Industry News: LEGO Goes Big, Leno Goes Home, DeLorean and Bullitt Get Rebooted – Plus Christmas Recs For Car Lovers
Since we here at The Engine Block are still riding that sweet tryptophan high from Thanksgiving, we thought why not round up some of the more enjoyable headlines to come out of the auto industry in the past few weeks?
Jay Leno is home from the hospital, LEGOLAND unveiled a life-sized Ford truck replica, and TWO new DeLoreans are on the docket – as is a rebooted Bullitt. (Depending on how much you love Steve McQueen, that last one might not be considered “good” news.)
Plus, thousands of people are Googling “KN” cars because they can’t figure out KIA’s logo, while scientists in Idaho might have the solution to faster EV charging.
But first… those of you looking to jumpstart your Christmas shopping should check out these excellent gift recommendations for the gearheads in your life.
2022 Holiday Gift-Giving Guide
Now that the Christmas machine cranks up in October, it’s easy to lose track of when the ‘holiday season’ actually begins. But somewhere between Bing Crosby and those cheesy Hallmark movies, time sped up – and now we’re just a short 3 weeks away from the big day.
If you find yourself staring down a long list with no idea where to start, let this quick guide help. From clueless new drivers to veteran enthusiasts and everyone in between, here are five automotive-themed gifts that won’t steer you wrong.
Hot Wheels City Ultimate Garage Playset
At more than 3-feet tall, this multi-level toy garage already makes a pretty serious impression. Look closer though and you’ll not only discover parking for over 100 Hot Wheels cars, but also a mechanical T-Rex that tries to eat the vehicles as they speed down side-by-side racetracks!
The set features multiple connection points, so kids can connect it to other Hot Wheels tracks and create an entire city. It also comes with two Hot Wheels 1:64 scale cars, so they can start playing as soon as they open the box. $123.99
The Age of the Muscle Car by Clay Fees
More than just a “coffee-table book,” this is a complete history of the muscle car era – as told by a passionate and affable former history teacher. Readers won’t find anything too technical here, since Fees isn’t as interested in detailed vehicle specs as he is in contextualizing the bygone muscle car and discovering where it fits amid the tapestry of mid-century American life (and beyond).
Part reference tool, part personal narrative, The Age of the Muscle Car is a must-read for those who love classic iron (or those who are often dragged to car shows by someone who does). Plus, Mecum favorite John Kraman wrote the forward, and if that’s not a ringing endorsement, what is? $33.60 (paperback)
Weego Jump Starter
Compact, lightweight and powerful, Weego jump starters make excellently useful holiday gifts – especially for new drivers. Offering a safe and reliable solution to a dead battery, you don’t have to worry about loved ones being stuck on the roadside or flagging down a stranger. We recommend the Weego 70 as it can jumpstart all gas engines and will double as a phone charger and flashlight. Currently on Cyber Monday sale for $111.99, and includes a free battery pack with purchase.
Branded Merch
Who doesn’t love some fresh threads? Help your loved one declare their burning love for whatever it is that gets their motor running – diesel, dirt, street, or way off grid adventures. Sites like Etsy, Import Bible and BlipShift are always a solid bet for something kitschy and fun made by smaller artists, but consider picking up some branded swag too.
Most aftermarket suppliers have a merch section on their website where they sell t-shirts and hats (Magnaflow’s hoodies are a personal fave), as do automakers – Jeep’s merch shop is particularly impressive.
Don’t forget about YouTube influencers and online brands too. Hoonigan puts out special designs every year for Christmas, and Donut Media has an impressive online shop as well. Both are still running Black Friday sales too!
Enthusiast Experience
Stuff is great, but shared experiences build true memories, so why not give the gift of quality time this year?
There are literally thousands of automotive events to choose from – in fact, check out our Competition Corner round ups for some solid ideas. We recommend hitting up something grassroots, like dirt track or short track racing for a high-adrenaline experience that won’t break the budget. Another fun (and affordable) option is a performance driving experience. Loved ones can take an exotic car thrill ride around a world-famous race track or blast through the desert in a mini dune buggy.
Looking for some more ideas? Check out our comprehensive gift guides from previous years.
Jay Leno On the Mend
Less than two weeks after suffering serious second and third-degree burns in a gasoline fire, comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno is back to work. The former “Tonight Show” host performed to a sold-out crowd last night at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, California.
Leno just recently arrived home after receiving nine days’ treatment at the Grossman Burn Center in West Hills. He sustained his injuries while performing repairs on a 1907 White Steam Car.
DeLorean Double Vision
It’s true what they say about everything old being new again, but right now, we seem to be living through a particularly strange moment of resurrected trends and styles.
The proof? There are two DeLorean vehicles making a potential (and dramatic) comeback.
The first is an electric sedan that seats four and features the model’s characteristic gullwing doors and fastback appearance. Named “Alpha 5,” it also wears the official DeLorean badging because the manufacturing company’s owner, Stephen Wynne, acquired the rights to the trademark in 1995.
The second DeLorean stays true to the original’s two-seater sports car design, but bears a much more elevated design. It too has the gullwing doors and fastback appearance – but instead of the official badging, it has John DeLorean’s daughter, Kat DeLorean Seymour, heading up the project.
She named the vehicle Model-JZD in honor of her father… and has been quick to point out that her company, DeLorean Next Generation (DNG) Motors is in no way affiliated with the Alpha-5.
Popularized by the Back to the Future franchise, the original DMC DeLorean was a rear-engine two-seater sports car that only lasted in the American market from 1981-1983. Manufactured by former GM exec John DeLorean’s DeLorean Motor Company (DMC), it has endured as both a design novelty and pop culture icon.
News From Hollywood
Fans of Gran Turismo might be happy to hear that the video game’s movie adaption officially started filming earlier this month. Based on the “inspiring true story,” of a Gran Turismo player named Jann Mardenborough, the film pays fan service to the iconic video game while also showing how Mardenborough went on to become an actual professional racecar driver after winning a series of gaming competitions.
Sony Pictures TV and PlayStation are developing the live-action feature film, and Neill Blomkamp is directing. The film stars David Harbour (“Hopper” from Stranger Things) and Orlando Bloom (“Legolas” from Lord of the Rings), as well as relative newcomer Archie Madekwe (Midsommar and See). Sony has set an August 11, 2023 release date.
Those looking for something with a little throw-back flavor, will either be tickled or enraged to hear that a Bullitt reboot is in the works. The 1968 Steve McQueen classic, which set the bar for car chase scenes, is set to be re-envisioned with Bradley Cooper behind the wheel and Steven Spielberg behind the camera.
Little is known about the plot, though Variety reported “the forthcoming production is expected to follow Bullitt on an entirely different exploit than the McQueen original’s.”
People Can’t Figure Out KIA’s Logo
Last year, South Korean car brand KIA redesigned its logo to give it a more modern appearance. Ditching the traditional name-inside-an-oval badging, the automaker adopted an angular script centered around the brand slogan “movement that inspires.”
Unfortunately, it does not seem to inspire comprehension.
According to a report by The Drive, roughly 30,000 people in the U.S. turn to Google every single month in the hopes they’ll learn what a “KN car” is. That’s about one person every other minute.
The struggle appears to be in how the letters connect to one another, causing some folks to read the “IA” as a backwards “N.”
Whether or not these people also read Audi as “OOOO”, is yet to be determined.
Scientists in Idaho May Have Solved Faster EV Charging
One of the biggest hang-ups to mainstreaming electric vehicles is charging. From a lack of stations to a weak electrical grid to the sheer amount of time it takes to bring an electric vehicle up to full charge, the issue is a complex one.
While government legislation is taking aim at the first two complications, it looks like scientists in Idaho might be onto a solution for the last. They believe that machine learning (i.e, artificial intelligence) holds the key to bringing an electric vehicle from empty to 90% charged in just 10 minutes.
Traditional EV charging moves slow for a reason. Much like trying to shove a bunch of people through a door all at once, cramming a fast flow of electricity into a battery can be damaging. As such, standard charging protocol usually starts low, ramps up, and then slows down again to avoid any unnecessary strain on the battery’s internals.
Scientists at the Idaho National Laboratory however, realized that they could employ artificially intelligent algorithms to predict more specific battery lifetimes. Essentially, they used very smart machines to measure how things like changing current and voltage could affect a battery’s internals. Then, they used that data to optimize the charging protocol – and voila! Faster charging without the damage.
It’s an elegant solution, that requires little more than updating software.
The lab’s department manager, Eric Dufek, says the ultimate goal is to develop electric vehicles that can teach the charging stations what protocol is best to power up their unique battery packs.
LEGOLAND Unveils Life-Sized Ford F-150 Lightning
Speaking of big electric advancements, LEGOLAND in Florida recently pulled the covers off a life-sized replica of the all-new Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck. Made of more than 320,000 LEGO bricks, the full-scale Ford took nearly 1,600 hours to build – and even has working headlights and tail lights!
Modeled after the Lariat crew cab trim, the replica features a full-size truck bed, running boards, and 20-inch dark gray wheels. Check out the video below to watch the LEGO engineers at work!
The Engine Block is your one-stop source for any and all auto industry news. Keep an eye on our weekly round-up of enthusiast coverage, product reviews, vehicle spotlights, auto show/expo features, and more. Be sure to check back Wednesday for tips on how to pack your rig for that last trip of the season. Then, on Friday, we officially dip a toe into cold weather with the basics of winter car prep – replacing and refilling those fluids!
