Super Bowl Update

above: one of the more uusual wooden toy cars, Tomoki Azumi's 'Would You Like A Slice Of Toast?'



Matteo Ragni has gathered together 100 masters of design from all over the world including Karim Rashid, Marcel Wanders, Barber Ogersby, Fernando and Humberto Campana, Jaime Hayon, Fabio Novembre and Setsu & Shinobu Ito to name but a few. With these globally renowned designers and the support of Alessi, Ragni created “100% TobeUs: 100 designers for 100 new toy cars.”



TobeUs was born as a result of a designer who had become a father and couldn't stand watching his own children captivated by toys just for a few hours and then destroying or growing bored of them. According to Matteo Ragni the easiest solution to this is to give children the possibility to 'love' an object.

To accomplish this, Ragni felt the right choice of material with a recognizable smell, an unquestioned resistance to impact and texting, and, ultimately, a dignified end: recycling or re-utilization was the way to go.

This is how the idea of TobeUs was born: toy cars made of cedar wood, strong and sweet-scented, beautifully and cleverly planned by skillful and passionate designers.


above, clockwise from top left: Fabio Novembre, Paolo Lomazzi, Setsu & Shinobu Ito and Donato Durbino

Some resemble architecture, others dinosaurs. Some are incredibly aerodynamic, while others have multiple angular components. And still some are inspired by present automobiles and others double as everything from pencil holders to puzzles.

Here are some of the more unusual examples from the collection of 100:

Karim Rashid - Tobek:

Fernando and Humberto Campana - Untitled:

Marcel Wanders - Journey Of A Cedar:

Matteo Bazzicalupo - Fakir:

Barber Osgerby - Three, Two, One:

Miriam Mirri - Bed and Breakfast:

Alberto Meda - Solar Car:

Duilo Forte - 3CV:

Paolo Orlandini - Archicar:

Kazuyo Komoda - Doll Dining Car:

Mario Trimarchi - H-Onda:

Spalvieri Del Ciotto - City Car:

Marco Dessi - La Transportamatite:

Raffaella Mangiarotti - Superfast Sketch Holder:


Since its inception, designers who wanted to draw their own TobeUs have multiplied. It seems that everyone has an idea for a wooden toy car. But the project has caveats - TobeUs is made by two cuts in a wooden stump that always have the same size, so it's a project and design exercise that imposes clear limits.

You can even try your own hand at it with a downloadable template:


See all 100 designs here.

The exhibition at the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan (Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia di Milano) runs from December 5th through January 13th, 2013.

For the end of the 2012, instead of sharing with you my own top ten list of this blogs' most popular posts, I've rounded up interesting and informative Top 10 lists in various categories from reputable sites and journalists. Ranging from Pop Culture and Scientific Discoveries to Luxury cars and iPhone Apps, here are some great compilations.


Ten Great Top Ten Of 2012 Lists


1. The Top 10 Books of 2012 (New York Times Editors)


2. Top 10 Albums of 2012 (Rolling Stone)


3. Top 10 Art Auction Sales in 2012 (Bloomberg)


4. Top 10 Weirdest Stories of 2012 (National Geographic)


5. Top 10 TV Moments of 2012 (Art Info)


6. The Top 10 Science Stories of 2012 (CNN)


7.  Top 10 Best Cars Over 80k of 2012 (Car and Driver)


8. The Top 10 Crowd-Funded Projects of 2012 (Engadget)


9. Apple's Top 10 Free and Paid For iPhone apps of 2012


10. The Top 10 Google searches in 12 categories in 2012

The Car Poolers in Mexico is a project by photographer Alejandro Cartagena that takes a peek into the world of flatbed trucks that carry Mexican workers to their jobs. Shown last week at Kopeikin Gallery's booth at Miami Project (and earlier this summer at the Kopeikin Gallery), the photographs reveal intimate glimpses of laborers in the beds of the trucks, heading to or from the massive, low-quality housing complexes being built close to the country's border with the U.S.


above: The winner of the 2012 International Street Photography Award, Cartagena stands in front of his Car Poolers series the show's exhibit in London. (photo by Maciej Dakowicz)


The images, most of which were taken in Monterrey, have been honored in respected photography competitions for documenting some of the more obscure details in the life of a day laborer.

Below are 14 images from the project:








Prints on photorag cotton, paper edition of 10+4AP.
images courtesy of the photographer.


See all 30 photos from the project at  Kopeikin Gallery.

The photographer's own site.

Once again, it's time for the gratuitous scantily clad women and cars combination that is the annual Miss Tuning World Calendar. Photographer Max Seam has shot this year’s Miss Tuning World, Frizzi Arnold, against the impressive architecture of Helsinki and the beautiful landscapes around the capital for the tenth annual Miss Tuning World Calendar from Bodensee.



Brunette beauty Frizzi Arnold is featured in the land of hot saunas and cool lakes for her 2013 Miss Tuning World calendar shoot that took place earlier this year in Finland.

Cover page
Location: Tuomiokirkko, Helsinki
Car: Toyota Paseo (Owner: Marika Nerelli)
Background info: Tuomiokirkko, Helsinki Cathedral, is a landmark in the Finnish capital.


January
Location: Helsinki Malmi Airport, Helsinki
Car: Dodge Challenger (Owner: Harri Saari)
Background info: The airport was established in the 1950s as the airport in Finland. In the background, a discarded Finnish Airlines DC-3 can be seen.


February
Location: Unique Lapland, Helsinki
Background info: In the Snow Hall of Lapland, the temperature prevails throughout the year at a minus temperature of 5 °, which allows for dog sledding, Igluübernachtungen and cool drinks at the ice bar.


March
Location: Valtti Areena, Vantaa
Cars: Plymouth Sport Roadster (Owner: Antti Vaitinnen) & SKODA Octavia (Owner: Marko Ketonnen)
Background info: Hockey is to Finland what football is to Germany - the National Sport. Kiekko Vantaa has existed since 1994, playing in the second highest league.


April
Location: Kaivopuisto Park, Helsinki
Car: Mustang Fastback (Owner: Joni Juvonnen)
Background info: What does a son give to his father on the 50th Birthday? A car! And, not just any car, but this Mustang Fastback designed together with the sametractor and trailer.


May
Location: Studio
Car: Opel Kadett C (Owner: Uwe Wolf)
Background info: The Opel Kadett C by Uwe Wolf won the EUROPEAN TUNING SHOWDOWN.


June
Location: Parking Lot, Vantaa
Car: Honda Civic (Owner: Tero Muotka)
Background info: Fire plays an important role in Scandinavia. First,it acts as a light and heat source in the long, cold winter months, and it keeps Mitsommernacht celebrated with traditional Mitsommernachtsfeuern.


July
Location: Helsinki Malmi Airport, Helsinki
Car: Ford Escort Cosworth (Owner: Christoffer Johansson)
Background info: Cosworth plays a major role in both the automotive sector as well as in aviation. So, where would a Ford Escort Cosworth look better than in an aircraft hangar?


August
Location: Halkolaituri, Helsinki
Car: Ford Pickup (Owner: Jussi Luntamo)
Background info: Halkolaituri is the old port of the Finnish capital which is populated today by numerous vintage ships. The Ford pickup was cut off behind the driver's seat and is connected to an old Russian military vehicle.


September
Location: Eiranranta, Helsinki
Car: Lincoln Premiere (Owner: Jaakko Veline)
Background info: A leap back into the 60s


October
Location: Helsinki Malmi Airport, Helsinki
Car: Gunfighter Truck (Owner: Jaakko Honkanen)
Background info: The Gunfighter Truck is a completely styled truck and a daily staple on the Helsinki route.


November
Location: MS Relandersgrund, Helsinki
Car: Nissan S-Cargo (Owner: Jani Lemberg)
Background info: MS Relandersgrund, a steamer is converted into a pub, is a popular place in the northern port of Helsinki.


December
Location: Unique Lapland, Helsinki
Car: Mercedes 280 (Owner: Heikki Mantere)
Background info: The village of Santa's workshop is located in the Finnish Arctic Circle and was awarded in 2000 as the most remarkable Scandinavian Christmas spectacle.


The limited-edition glossy calendar (1500 copies) from TUNING WORLD BODENSEE is on sale for €25 (shipping included). You can buy it here (credit card purchases only).


About TUNING WORLD BODENSEE:
The international exhibition/event for car tuning, lifestyle and the tuning-club-scene. Approximately 1,000 fast-tuned cars within twelve exhibition halls, 235 exhibitors and numerous premiers and presentations of the latest models and news. 152 clubs, about 200 private cars, 20 lovely girls at the MISS-TUNING-FINALS, five awards and two evening parties - these are the latest numbers of the 9th TUNING WORLD BODENSEE - the one and only original event in car tuning.


Can't get enough curves and cars?



Be sure to see the 2011 Miss Tuning World calendar images here.

There was lots of buzz at the 2012 Paris Motor Show about Peugeot's Concept Supercar, the Onyx and it's no wonder. Aside from radiating beauty, elegance and state-of-art technology, the Onyx Concept Bike and Onyx Concept Scooter are its acclaimed variations. Here's a look at all three wicked machines.



above top: computer renderings and below: at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

The Car
The Peugeot Onyx Concept Supercar



The sporty, finely-honed, streamlined Onyx is a hybrid concept car that slices through the air with pure elegance. Expressing a century of research and innovation, the Onyx is the most accomplished car ever imagined by the Lion brand.



Inspired by passionate people, the Onyx offers its adorers a vision of tomorrow. Shaped using raw materials innovatively, this supercar was designed by enthusiasts who have drawn their inspiration from the world of racing.



Its ingenious bodywork captivates with its striking contrast of materials and colours. Its wings and doors were hand-carved by a master craftsman from a pure copper sheet. This mirror-polished metal is totally self-protecting and uses no tricks. Its aspect will change over time and create a patina effect.





above: as seen at the 2012 Paris Motor Show

Its mid-mounted V8 will take you beyond the limits of high performance. A showcase of technological excellence and craftsmanship, the Onyx Concept Car treasures a HYbrid4 engine under its copper sheet that recovers the kinetic energy from braking and restores it during acceleration.


above: Watch it slice through the air in pure elegance, with its vertical grille and full LED headlights beaming. Its wings and doors, hand-carved by a master craftsman from a pure, mirror-polished copper sheet, make the Onyx dazzle and shimmer.


above: Its tail-lights are designed with Peugeot's distinguishing luminous three-claw signature, a magnificently-exquisite finishing touch. The Onyx Concept Car also incorporates mini impellers which direct airflow and intensify aerodynamics.


above: Bathed in natural, dazzling roof-to-floor light, the Onyx's cab includes a felt-designed console and a revolutionary, new wooden dashboard: made of newspaper-wood. The cab itself is a one-piece pod, without seams, without joins and becomes one with the driver and passenger, embracing them in absolute comfort.

Other detals include Carbon Fiber wheels:

And a carbon Fiber cad rear bumper:


The Bike
Peugeot Onyx Concept Bike, an ultimately-efficient superbike


Drawing from Peugeot Cycles' experience in the field of competition, the teams returned to the brand's origins of speed and performance. Peugeot Cycles' designers drew their inspiration from the Onyx to create an ITT bike that propels the brand into the future with its state-of-the-art and high-performance style. The flexed and harmonious lines of the carbon unibody frame optimize the Onyx Concept Bike's aerodynamics.



Back to the brand's origins with this futuristic, revolutionary, time trial Onyx Concept Bike. The engineers' work in wind tunnels, the frame designed with carbon, the streamlined wheels and disc brakes are a tip of the hat to the brand's automobiles. This groundbreaking style propels it into the future and into a world of speed and high performance.


above: The flexed and harmonious lines of the carbon unibody frame optimize the Onyx Concept Bike's aerodynamics.



above: In keeping with the high-performance spirit, the cables, brakes and battery are perfectly concealed inside the handlebars. And the electronically-controlled gear-change is exceptionally intuitive.


above: As seen at the 2012 Paris Motor Show

The Scooter
Peugeot Onyx Concept Scooter, a hybrid supertrike


Cities are changing but mobility solutions are always one step ahead. Peugeot's Onyx Scooter Concept proposes an original, revolutionary, 3-wheel alternative that switches from scooter to motorbike, from urban-style to sporty-style, to fit the rider's needs and desires.



By combining a 400 cc heat engine with an electrical engine, it provides first-class acceleration and get-up-and-go totally in line with its ultra-sportive style. This scooter has an up-to-the-minute look shared only with the Onyx Concept Car and Concept Bike.


above: With its matt black coat, the Onyx Concept Scooter radiates pure elegance. And through its coppered details, you can catch a glimpse of its pioneering technology.



Integrating the stylistic codes of the brand's automobiles, this 2-in-1 supertrike displays an athletic silhouette with sculptural lines and an extra-large 200/50 R17 rear wheel that radiates the spirit of hypersport bikes.


above: In the city, the rider maintains a more classical position, with feed forward and head held high to snake through traffic easily. Highly-practical, this scooter offers exceptional storage space between the seat and front-end.


above: In sports mode, the rider tilts forward, with wrists used for support and feet in a backward position. Naturally aerodynamic, the Onyx Concept Scooter offers great seating comfort for a passenger without compromising on vivacity.


above: as seen at the Paris Motor Show

Images and information courtesy of Peugeot ; Paris Motor Show images courtesy of Autoblog