Ken Block, Ninja Warriors, Jaws, and Bacon Strips

Like any good sequel, the action gets bigger and bigger as Ken tries to raise the bar with his Gymkhana videos promoting his DC Shoes brand and high powered Ford Fiesta. Now close your office door, crank up the speakers, and prepare for some high-octane Hollywood fun.

Ken Block’s Gymkhana FOUR
GYM4 surpasses the high-production style of Gymkhana TWO with even more spectacular effects shot in the backlots of  Universal Studios, California. Filmed over the course of five days, director Ben Conrad (Zombieland and 30 Seconds or Less) and his team at Logan deliver a Hollywood caliber production complete with pyrotechnics, massive stunts, cameo appearances, and a series of unbelievable tricks.

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As an added bonus we included Ken’s previous Gymkhana videos/megamercials

The next generation Porsche 911, internally known as project 991, isn’t set to be officially shown until September at the Frankfurt Auto Show this year. Spy shots have been posted on such sites as autospies.com and WordCarFans. Now a video from Porsche has been released on their YouTube channel.

Clear differences between the new model and the current 997 are the more upright headlights, a slightly longer body, and the side mirrors are now positioned at the side of the doors and not at the window.

Other new features for the new 911 will include extensive use of lightweight carbon materials and active aerodynamics–surfaces that react to what the car is doing, and how fast it’s doing it. Expect adjustable front and rear spoilers, dynamically opening and closing air intakes and an automatic rear wing.

As for powertrains, reports coming out of Germany claim power in the base Carrera will stand at 350 horsepower from a 3.4-liter boxer engine and 280 lb-ft of torque. Step up to the Carrera S, however, and you’re expected to get a bigger 3.8-liter engine and 400 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. New drivetrain technology includes a special electronically controlled limited-slip differential in cars equipped with the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission.

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The Juke marketing campaign pits Amber and the car against each other in the categories of acceleration, agility, appeal and aerodynamics. Neither really wins in the end, but we get to see Amber in four bikinis, plus a few slow-motion shots that really test your pacemaker. I think the biggest achievement is not Nissan’s newest crossover, but Amber running the sprint and slalom course in a pair of high heels without breaking an ankle.

Watch the videos below and you be the judge.

Model vs. Model “Agility”

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Model vs. Model “Acceleration”

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Model vs. Model “Curb Appeal”

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Model vs. Model “Aerodynamics”

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Bonus video after the jump

Nissan’s Esflow is based on the technology from their first practical Zero Emission car, the Nissan Leaf; however, the powertrain is tuned to offer a more sporty driving experience with rear-wheel drive and two motors. The two electric motors are positioned above the axis of the rear wheels to control the left and right wheels independently, producing optimized torque (60mph/100kph in under 5 seconds), vehicle stability, and efficient power regeneration. Like the Leaf, the motors will be powered by laminated lithium-ion battery packs, but will be situated low along the axis of the front and rear wheels, to help out the center of gravity, allowing the Esflow to travel over 150 miles (240km) on one charge.

Video clip and photo gallery of the Esflow after the jump

The Esflow sports concept car’s body is inspired by glaciers, with tinted blue headlights and Nissan emblem, Blue LEDs in the front and rear body, reflective solidified liquid with blue tints for its color, and blue carbon inserts in the six spoke wheels, side sill, roof mounted lip spoiler and lower rear bumper.

Nissan has not mentioned if the Esflow will make it to production anytime soon, but it’s interesting to see Nissan working towards an EV sports car of the future.

Below is a video of Nissan’s Esflow concept car in an animated driving experience.

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Audi is stirring up interest for their A8 Super Bowl commercials by posting the “Audi Estate Sale” on Facebook and messages on Twitter. Audi will also takeover YouTube’s homepage on Super Bowl Sunday.

After 10 years without purchasing air time, BMW is back to promote the new X3 SUV and its lineup of new vehicles. BMW launched a Facebook contest on January 21, titled “The X3 Matchup” that will tie-in to their Super Bowl commercials. The contest will run through February 10th and will award the winner a two-year lease and a trip to the South Carolina factory.

Kia is launching the redone Optima and has 15-second television teaser ads this week before the big game.

Mercedes-Benz is also promoting their first Super Bowl commercial by sponsoring the Mercedes-Benz Tweet Race that starts on February 2 and features stars such as, Rev Run, Serena Williams, Pete Wentz and Nick Swisher. More information can be found on the Mercedes-Benz Facebook page and the MBtweetraceHQ Twitter page.

GM is promoting their 426hp Chevrolet Camaro with Miss Evelyn, the hottie teacher

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Volkswagen is using humor and the “force” to show off the new 2012 Passat

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Audi wants you to escape from old luxury and the smooth jazz sound of Kenny G

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: Anachronistic City – Super Bowl Video

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Bridgestone Tires – Reply All

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Bridgestone Tires – Carma

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Mercedes-Benz “Welcome” — Super Bowl Commercial 2011 — extended cut

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Car companies such Audi with its A3 TDI “Green Police” commercial, Chrysler with its “Man’s Last Stand” commercial, Hyundai with its Sonata commercial featuring Brett Favre, Kia with its Sorento “Joy Ride Dream” commercial, and Volkswagen with its “Punch Dub” commercial featuring Tracy Morgan and Stevie Wonder, all had advertising in the previous Super Bowl and will be back again on Sunday.

Audi Super Bowl 2010 Commercial – “Green Police”

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Kia Motors Super Bowl 2010 Commercial”

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Hyundai Super Bowl 2009 Ad – “Angry Bosses”

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Cadillac Super Bowl 2005 Ad — “0-60 Under 5 Seconds”

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This is the all new 2011 Ferrari FF, a 4WD replacement for the old 612 Scaglietti. It has a new 6.2L V12 that makes 660 horsepower at 8,000 rpm ! As for torque, it’s rated a robust 504 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm.

The FF has 4 seats and a 4RM system that’s the same as a 4WD but lighter. The few sounds you can listen to are accelerations, launch control, burnout and wheelspin, upshifts (it has a double clutch gear box now) and downshifts !

Oh, yes: And it’s a hatchback!

At 4.9m and 1,790kg the FF is fractionally longer and lighter than the outgoing 612 Scaglietti four-seater, and 3.5cm taller, too. Ferrari says it will accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 208mph.

The four-wheel-drive system is called 4RM. Ferrari has released few details on the patented system, but officials say the 4RM four-wheel drive hardware weighs 50 per cent less than a conventional set‑up, while maintaining near perfect 47:53 weight distribution. According to Ferrari, it “delivers record levels of performance on all terrains and all conditions via continuous and intelligent predictive torque distribution to all four wheels.” This means that FF owners will be able to use their cars on “low grip or snow-covered surfaces”, as well as more conventional Ferrari territory such as on the track and in city driving.

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Prices have yet to be announced. It is expected to debut at the Geneva auto show and go on sale in the United States in the fall.

Read the Ferrari press release after the jump

Ken Block  made the Gymkhana 1 video and it exploded with over 30 million views. It has upped his popularity and income potential by a magnitude 7 on the Richter scale.  He is probably the most recognized driver right now specially among the younger generation and he has helped sell many, many Subarus.

But then Ford stole him. Ford has very high hopes for the company and for their new car the Ford Fiesta. They paid Ken Block millions and million of dollars to drive their car. Fundamentally, they paid him to make these videos. These Youtube product placement videos are called Gymkhana.

Watch and it will all make sense. This is car Marketing 101 in the new age.

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Official press release after the jump

The visual style will be familiar to anyone that’s seen the original U.K.-version, though the tone and demeanor of hosts Adam Ferrara, Tanner Foust and Rutledge Wood are all-American. In this teaser clip, each host gets hold of their favorite Lamborghini and try to convince each other that theirs is the baddest bull of them all.

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Driving Sports is an online publication and video series that strives to entertain, inform and engage. Click in every Wednesday at 10pm PST at drivingsports.com to watch a live streaming broadcast. If you can’t watch live, view the archives posted at drivingsports.com as well as their various syndication partners (YouTube, Streetfire, etc.)

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Content is copyright 2003-2010 Driving Sports. All rights reserved.

Also new are standard 18-inch Enkei aluminum wheels that are 17 lbs. lighter than before, or silver BBS® forged alloy wheels for drivers who like to stand out from the crowd.

Driving Sports TV presents exclusive sights and sounds of the 2011 Subaru WRX STI during testing at the press launch in Aspen, Colorado. Full review coming soon, at drivingsports.com.

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Driving Sports is an online publication and video series that strives to entertain, inform and engage. Click in every Wednesday at 10pm PST at drivingsports.com to watch a live streaming broadcast. If you can’t watch live, view the archives posted at drivingsports.com as well as their various syndication partners (YouTube, Streetfire, etc.)

Driving Sports is a registered trademark of MediaSpigot LCC.
Content is copyright 2003-2010 Driving Sports. All rights reserved.