GM Wants to "Transform Your Ride"

General Motors Corp., in conjunction with the upcoming Transformers live action film has announced their pleasant offer for customers. Starting June 26 up to July 9, 2007, GM will offer the "Transform Your Ride Sale" promo that will enable qualified buyers to obtain 0% ARP for 36 months and $1,000 gift cash on some selected GM models.

"People who have recently switched to a GM vehicle tell us we’ve really changed their previous perceptions about our products. They love their new car or truck.” said Jim Campbell, GM’s director of Customer Relationship Management.

“We’ve enhanced the value of our cars and trucks with features like OnStar, XM Radio, superior quality and the best coverage in the business with a 5 year / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty plus roadside assistance and courtesy transportation. Just look at the award-winning Chevrolet Silverado or hot HHR. The “Transform Your Ride Sale” gives everyone the opportunity to buy a new car or truck with outstanding style, great fuel economy, performance and value.” he added.
GM vehicle models eligible for the "Transform Your Ride Sale" include:

Chevrolet: 2006 and 2007 Cobalt, Monte Carlo, Impala, HHR, TrailBlazer, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche and 2007 900-series Silverado.
Buick: 2006 and 2007 Lacrosse, Lucerne and Rainier
Pontiac : 2006 and 2007 G5, G6, Grand Prix and Torrent
GMC: Envoy, Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL, Yukon XL Denali and 2007 900-series Sierra

Go to your nearest GM dealerships to avail this promo. Meanwhile, the Transformers movie, released by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures is scheduled to arrive in theaters this coming July 3rd. The film stars four GM vehicles including:

* Bumblebee (1974/2008 Chevrolet Camaro): Rendered mute in battle, Bumblebee is an honest and friendly soldier who befriends humanity, namely Sam, in his efforts to find the Allspark.

* Jazz (Pontiac Solstice): The smallest and feistiest of the Autobots, Jazz is one of Optimus' best warriors, talented at learning new cultures.

* Ironhide (GMC Topkick pick-up truck): A tough, weathered soldier, Ironhide is one of Optimus' oldest friends, and is always the first in battle.

* Ratchet (Search & Rescue Hummer H2): The medic and scientist, Ratchet has a strong sense of duty to protect life.

Some Cars Trivia

Remember the post I made last June 8th featuring the characters of the 2006 animated film Cars? Well, here is something to add up to that.

While browsing the web about the recent cars featured in movies, I bumped into this section in Internet Movie Database (IMDb) where it features some trivia about the movie Cars. There are really lots of interesting facts that I have read and I decided to share it with you guys.

Check them out!

• This movie was originally titled "Route 66". The name was changed to "Cars" so as not to imply a connection with the TV show "Route 66" (1960).
• The music that opens the teaser trailer of this movie is the main theme to A Bug's Life (1998).
• The film's animators drew up over 43,000 sketches for designs of the cars.
• Mia and Tia are modeled after the first-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata.
• The rock formations in the distance beyond Radiator Springs resemble Cadillac Ranch, and is actually named Cadillac Range on the maps shown during montages. Cadillac Ranch is an art exhibit consisting of 10 Cadillacs half-buried in a line outside Amarillo, Texas, near where Route 66 once ran. Additionally, when seen from "above", the hills around Radiator Springs resemble the hoods and fenders (complete with ornaments) of classic cars.
• Instead of making the cars' headlights the eyes, as is done on most cartoons, the Pixar artists decided to put the eyes up on the windshield, because that made the characters more expressive. This idea was largely influenced by the Disney cartoon Susie the Little Blue Coupe (1952), one of director John Lasseter's favorite cartoons.
• Flo isn't based on any single car but shares elements of the 1951 Buick LeSabre, the 1951 Buick XP-300, and the 1957 Chrysler Dart--all actual show cars.
• One of the bumper stickers on Fillmore reads 'Save 2D Animation.'
• The neon lights on Flo's V8 Cafe in the movie flash in the proper firing order for a Ford flathead V8.
• The number on the train that Lightning out runs is A113, a reference to California Institute of the Arts, where many Pixar animators studied.
• Lightning McQueen's original number was to be 57, director John Lasseter's birth year. It was later changed to 95 to represent the year that Toy Story (1995) was released. The car in the final film who has the number 57 (who wins the race in the first teaser) vaguely resembles McQueen, and is probably an earlier production design for that character.
• The tires of Lightning McQueen are Buzzard models manufactured by Lightyear, a reference both to the real Goodyear "Eagle" tires used in NASCAR and character Buzz Lightyear from John Lasseter's previous 'Toy Story' films.
  

Meet the Fast and the Furious Cars

Since this particular site talks about cars used in movies, you will hate me if I will not include the 2001 action movie “The Fast and the Furious”.

Distributed by Universal pictures this movie stars Hollywood actors Paul Walker and Vin Diesel but on its sequel entitled 2 Fast and 2 Furious released by 2003, Vin Diesel was no longer included.

The movie features novelty at the same time series of visual effects and introduction of Japanese compacts into the American culture that made this movie as one of the most famous movies for 2001 and turned Vin Diesel as hunk Hollywood superstar.

For those who haven’t seen the movie the story is about a gang of hijackers that target trucks for their shipment of luxurious electronic equipment. The LAPD and the FBI discovered that those hijackers drove Sport Compact cars and used equipments for their mission. These government agencies sent Brian O’Conner (Walker) to be an undercover cop for them to find out the real culprit.

Actually there were 2 gangs in this movie- Toretto group and Johnny Tran’s team. O’Conner did everything to gain the trust of Toretto, he even saved the life of this leader in car racing raid and also in an incident with Tran’s group.

As much as I want to proceed with the narration but its much better if you watch the movie. You will understand it better, see the visual effects that I have mentioned and plus you will be able to see all the actions.

For those who have seen the movie did you ever wonder or even attempt to find out the series of upgraded and modified cars used in the movie, if not check this out.

Dodge Charger
Mitsubishi Eclipse GS
Honda Civic 2dr Coupe
Honda Civic 2dr Coupe
Honda Civic 2dr Coupe
Honda S2000 (AP1)
Honda Civic
Mazda RX-7 FD3S
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R
Toyota Supra
(JZA80)
Volkswagen Jetta
Acura Integra GS-R
Ferrari F355 F1 Spyder
Nissan 240SX (S14 Silvia) 2dr Coupe
Acura Integra
Chevrolet Chevelle SS

Cars Main Characters

Has anybody seen the film Cars? The 2006 animated film released by Walt Disney Pictures and produced by Pixar? Well, if you're a car enthusiasts, probably you have seen it. This animated movie actually take place in a world populated by talking cars and other vehicles. Kinda weird huh? Anyway, Cars features the voice of some popular actors Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Tony Shalhoub, and comedian Larry the Cable Guy. The film also featured numerous real life car models. Want to know some of them? Then check out the main characters of the movie below.

Lightning McQueen
Vehicle Model: Le Mans endurance Auto racing
Voice Actor: Owen Wilson

Doc Hudson
Vehicle Model: 1951 Hudson Hornet
Voice Actor: Paul Newman

Mater
Vehicle Model: mid-1950s Chevrolet One-Ton Wrecker Tow Truck
Voice Actor: Larry the Cable Guy

Sally Carrera
Vehicle Model: 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera
Voice Actor: Bonnie Hunt

Chick Hicks
Vehicle Model: mid-1980s Buick Regal or Grand National
Voice Actor: Michael Keaton

The King
Vehicle Model: 1970 Plymouth Superbird
Voice Actor: Richard Petty

Ramone
Vehicle Model: 1959 Chevy Impala lowrider
Voice Actor: Cheech Marin

Fillmore
Vehicle Model: 1960 VW Bus
Voice Actor: George Carlin

Sarge
Vehicle Model: Willys US Military jeep model
Voice Actor: Paul Dooley

Flo
Vehicle Model: 1957 Motorama show car
Voice Actor: Jenifer Lewis

Luigi
Vehicle Model: 1959 Fiat 500
Voice Actor: Tony Shalhoub

Guido
Vehicle Model: Custom forklift, possibly an Isetta model
Voice Actor: Guido Quaroni

Sheriff
Vehicle Model: 1949 Mercury Club Coupe (police package)
Voice Actor: Michael Wallis

Mack
Vehicle Model: 1985 Mack Superliner
Voice Actor: John Ratzenberger

Lizzie
Vehicle Model: 1923 Ford Model T
Voice Actor: Katherine Helmond

Red
Vehicle Model: 1960s style fire truck
Voice Actor: Joe Ranft

Speed Racer to Hit the Big Screen in 2008

One of the best and well-known Japanese animation -- Speed Racer will be having its widescreen version thanks to writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski, the creators of the groundbreaking "The Matrix" trilogy, and producer Joel Silver who will together collaborate to film the live-action, high-octane family adventure.

Set to be released May 9, 2008, the story centers around Speed Racer (to be played by Emile Hirsch), a natural behind the wheel and his quest to win the “real competition’ -- the memory of the brother he idolized—the legendary Rex Racer—whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill.

The story also touches on Speed’s love for his family and their racing business – led by his father, Pops Racer (John Goodman), the designer of Speed's thundering Mach 5. Things will get interesting with the movie’s various twists and turns, involving the film’s various characters including Speed’s girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci), Speed’s one-time rival—the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox), Speed’s mom (Oscar winner Susan Sarandon), Sparky (Kick Gurry), Sprittle (Paulie Litt), and villain Royalton (Roger Allam). The film also marks the major film debut of Asian music star Ji Hoon Jung (popularly known as Rain) as a rival driver.

"Speed Racer" is a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, of a Silver Pictures Production.

Daniel Randcliffe Goes for the Punto

The Mirror of Erised said to Harry, “I show not your face but what your heart’s desire- it’s your family.” But in real life what does Daniel desire for? Especially now that his birthday is near? No, it’s not some girl to make his teenage girl-fans jealous -- it’s a Fiat Grande Punto.

Yes guys, you read it right. The hero of the Harry Potter series by English author J.K. Rowling is set to purchase the little car produced by Italian carmaker Fiat. One would expect the Harry Potter star to go for a flashy ride (maybe a Rolls-Royce or a Lamborghini) after all, he is the richest kid in Britain right now and on his 18th birthday this coming July 23 he will have access to his £23 million fortune. The car, says one close to the boy, is the first thing that Daniel wants to buy himself to celebrate his birthday.

According the news, Daniel chose the Fiat Grande Punto because it is one of the top five most environmentally-friendly cars in the UK. Apparently our Harry Potter is an environmentalist too.

The Grande Punto is sure low-key, but if Daniel wanted to he could always pimp his ride and go for the Need For Speed kit -- which includes a rear spoiler, 17in alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and chrome exhaust – available from the automaker.

Daniel however, is reportedly keen on keeping it low, liking the fact that he’ll be able to drive around London without being recognized, especially by the paparazzi.

Let’s just hope that Daniel’s new car won’t suffer the same fate as the Ford Angila, the flying car used in the Harry Potter films which was stolen in October 2005 from the South West Film Studios in St. Agnes, England.

Well Happy Birthday anyway Daniel!

Get Ready for the Transformers Film!

The much-awaited Transformers live action film that will premiere in worldwide cinemas this coming June 20 will be dominated by GM vehicles. The film, which is based on the 1980s animated series, is directed by Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg as the executive producer.

2007 Transformers film will feature live combat scenes between the two rival groups, the Autobots and Decepticons shooting missiles, firing guns, smashing their metal body structures, and tearing it apart. Going back to GM vehicles featured in the film, it includes the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Solstice, GMC Topkick pick-up truck, and the Hummer H2. All of these vehicles will transform into an Autobot member.

Checkout the main characters of the film.

Humans

• Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky
• Megan Fox as Mikaela: Sam's love interest.
• Josh Duhamel as William Lennox: Captain of a Special Ops team in Qatar, who manages to escape the destruction caused by Blackout. He has a wife and child back home.
• Tyrese Gibson as Epps: A combat controller who teams up with Lennox to escape Blackout and Scorponok.
• John Turturro as Simmons: Head of Sector 7, a secret government group that holds Megatron hostage. Simmons is leading a team tracking down Bumblebee.
• Jon Voight as Keller: The United States Secretary of State.
• Kevin Dunn as Ron Witwicky: Sam's father.
• Julie White as Mrs. Witwicky
• Rachael Taylor as Maggie
• Bernie Mac as Bobby Bolivia: A car dealer whom Sam buys Bumblebee from, both unaware of its alien origin.
  

Autobots

• Peter Cullen as the voice of Optimus Prime (Semi-trailer truck): The powerful, wise leader of the Autobots, Prime comes to protect humanity from the evil Decepticons.
• Bumblebee (1974/2008 Chevrolet Camaro): Rendered mute in battle, Bumblebee is an honest and friendly soldier who befriends humanity, namely Sam, in his efforts to find the Allspark.
• Jazz (Pontiac Solstice): The smallest and feistiest of the Autobots, Jazz is one of Optimus' best warriors, talented at learning new cultures.
• Ironhide (GMC Topkick pick-up truck): A tough, weathered soldier, Ironhide is one of Optimus' oldest friends, and is always the first in battle.
• Ratchet (Search & Rescue Hummer H2): The medic and scientist, Ratchet has a strong sense of duty to protect life.
  

Decepticons

• Hugo Weaving as the voice of Megatron (Cybertronian jet): The missing Decepticon leader held hostage by Sector 7, Megatron desires power over the Allspark and hates organic lifeforms.
• Starscream (F-22 Raptor): Megatron's second-in-command, Starscream actually desires to overthrow Megatron and take the Allspark for himself.
• Blackout (MH-53 Pave Low): The largest Decepticon, Blackout is fiercely loyal to Megatron and can fire electromagnetic pulses, making Decepticon attacks easier.
• Keith David as the voice of Barricade (Saleen-modified Ford Mustang police car) : The Decepticon hunter who masquerades in society as a symbol of the law.
• Frenzy (2-speaker CD player): The smallest of the Decepticons, Frenzy attaches to Barricade. His main purpose is spying on humans, but he is still a ferocious fighter, shooting blades disguised as CDs from his chest.
• Scorponok (mechanical scorpion): He has a symbiotic relationship with Blackout, hiding within him until he is commanded to go and kill.
• Brawl (Modified M1 Abrams): A moody warrior, armed to the teeth.
• Bonecrusher (Buffalo H Mine-Protected vehicle): Another piece of Decepticon muscle, Bonecrusher has a hatred for all others and is only subservient to Megatron, whom he fears.