Showing posts with label TIPS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TIPS. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

The Petersen Museum exhibits iconic movie cars

The Petersen Automotive Museum is one of the largest automotive museums in the world and an automotive icon here in the United States Founded in 1994 by magazine publisher Robert Petersen, the museum features more than 100 vehicles on display with an extensive vault containing even more cars being restored, refreshed and prepared for display.

The Petersen Museum is known for the architecture of its building and the incredible rotating exhibits. A new show, set to open March 12, 2022, will feature some of the most famous and iconic vehicles from film and TV. Here is a quick overview of what will be on display.

Exhibition The cars of cinema and television

The interesting part of cars in movies and TV shows is that they often become as famous as the actors who drive them. Cars become stars in their own right. Here are some of the vehicles that the Petersen exhibits.

The exhibit will include Tim Burton's 1989 Batmobile, Ghostbusters' Ecto-1 Cadillac, the Black Panther Lexus, and several vehicles from Men in Black. Of course, no movie car display would be complete with the 1981 DeLorean Time Machine from Back to the Future. The DeLorean on display at the Petersen is the only example to appear in all three films of the Back to the Future franchise.

Other cars include the Starsky and Hutch Gran Torino and the Innovative Online Industries SUV from Ready Player One.

Oscar season is the perfect time for a movie car show

A profile view of the 1981 DeLorean Time Machine from the movie Back to the Future.  The car is displayed in a white studio background with the doors open.

Vanity Fair spoke with Petersen Assistant Manager Mark Bodell about the show. Bodell had this to say, “Being so close to Hollywood, movies and TV cars have always been one of our biggest draws, and it's Oscar season.

Most of the cars on display are from the studios that produced the films. A few come from private collections and from Petersen's permanent collection. As Bodell explains, none of the vehicles are unique, "Most movie cars are made in sets of 1 to 10.

“The Batmobile we have is one of three [built for the movie], and that was the promotional car. It actually works, believe it or not. But it heats up a bit because the studio didn't expect this car to drive very far.


Movie cars generally fall into a few categories. The first is the "A cars", which are the fully functional vehicles that you will see the actors driving on screen. Stunt vehicles are designed for jumps, chases and crashes. They often have fake interiors and are either piloted by stuntmen or remote controlled. Finally, there are the cars on sale. These are complete, running vehicles used for advertising.

The other exceptional exhibitions at the Petersen

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The Bond in Motion exhibit pairs well with the vehicle display from the film. The collection is not limited to cars, with some of the most iconic vehicles from the Jame Bond film franchise. Naturally, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 is present, but also some of the planes and submarines used in the films.

Notable cars include the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish from Die Another Day and the 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 sub used in The Spy Who Loved Me.

The Petersen Museum also features a hypercar exhibit with some of the most extreme cars ever built. A Devel Sixteen, Pagani Huayra BC, Bugatti Veyron, McLaren Speedtail and Koenigsegg Agera RS are on display.

For Formula 1 fans, there is the Pole Position exhibition, which features the Juan Gonzalez car collection. One of the star cars is Lewis Hamilton's 2009 McLaren MP4-24.

The Petersen Museum is one of the great destinations for car enthusiasts. Their exhibits are always fascinating and, in the case of the vehicle exhibit from the film, very nostalgic. You don't have to be a car enthusiast to enjoy these vehicles. They are often as big a star of the film as the actors themselves. We think it might be time for a road trip.

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NHTSA: Fully Automated Vehicles No Longer Require Human Controls

Have you ever wanted to sit back and relax while the car drives for you? Sometimes full automation would be amazing, especially on a long road trip where you've been driving for several hours on the same highway. A self-driving car is a perfect answer for anyone who likes to sleep on those trips. Since the inception of fully automated vehicles, they have required human controls and a conscious and ready human supervisor. However, NHTSA has ruled that (some) automated vehicles no longer require human controls.

Fully Automated Vehicles: Who Needs Humans?

According to Automotive News, U.S. regulators have issued a final ruling eliminating the need for automated vehicle makers to provide manual driving controls to meet crash standards. Safety standards of long ago created huge hurdles for automakers when developing automated vehicles. Any automated driving system still needed manual controls, mainly to comply with the legal safety code. However, last month a petition led by General Motors asked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for permission to build self-driving vehicles without human control.

Specifically, GM didn't want to put basic manual controls like steering wheels and brake pedals in vehicles. The revised rules assume vehicles “will still have a driver’s seat, steering wheel and associated steering column, or a single front outboard passenger seat. For vehicles designed to be steered solely by ADS, manual drive controls are logically unnecessary,” NHTSA said.

New technology, new rules

Tesla Model S is one of the fully automated self-driving vehicles that may stop requiring human controls in the future.

Self-driving cars were a futuristic pipe dream when these rules first appeared. It was like something out of The Jetsons when someone imagined fully automated vehicles. However, autonomous driving has been around for a while and the rules remain unchanged. These new rules were first proposed in March 2020, emphasizing that automated vehicles offer as much protection to occupants as human-controlled ones.

“As the driver transitions from person to machine in ADS-equipped vehicles, the need to keep humans safe remains the same and must be incorporated from the start,” said Steven Cliff, Deputy Administrator of the NHTSA.

Although they don't need a driver, children are not allowed to sit in the driver's seat. Children are not protected when seated in the driver's seat. The regulations in force do not prevent the operation of automated vehicles with manual controls. Additionally, NHTSA said manufacturers will still need to apply to the agency for an exemption to sell vehicles without human control.


2022 fully automated vehicles

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RELATED: How Security Captchas Outsourced Self-Driving Car Technology

According to AutoPilot Review, there are currently many vehicles capable of driving themselves. However, the level of range differs from car to car. Some can only keep speed and stay in a straight line, while others can take turns and more. The Tesla Model S is probably the most popular of the bunch. Each of these electric sedans comes with Tesla's AutoPilot self-driving assistance, but it will cost $8,000 for the full set of self-driving capabilities.

High-profile crashes are often linked to Tesla's automation. Many people view the ability to self-driving as dangerous. Well, wait until other automakers get the green light from NHTSA to stop needing brake pedals and steering wheels.

Fully automated models

  • Tesla Models S, Y, X and 3
  • GM – Cadillac CT6 and Escalade, Chevy Bolt
  • Audi A6, A8
  • BMW X5, 3 Series
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E
  • Kia Telluride
  • Hyundai Sonata, Palisade
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class, S-Class
  • Volvo XC90, XC60, XC40
  • Nissan Rogue, Leaf
  • Infiniti QX50

In conclusion, many modern vehicles use some form of automated driving. NHTSA only gave GM one chance to develop a vehicle without human control. NHTSA granted GM the capability after a petition and a lengthy decision process. However, NHTSA has explicitly stated that other automakers should seek an exemption from it in the future. Every production vehicle requires human controls. Solely for General Motors, NHTSA says fully automated vehicles no longer require human controls.

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Are KBB's 5 Certified Pre-Owned BMW Picks Worth Bringing Home?

  • Kelley's Blue Book recently released a list of recommended Certified Pre-Owned BMWs
  • Among touring cars, the 2019 3 Series is a solid choice overall, but if you want a 2019 5 Series, buy a six- or eight-cylinder model.
  • As for KBB Among BMW's SUV picks, the 2019 X3 received mediocre reliability scores, while the 2019 X5 is an excellent suggestion, and the 2019 X7 is roomier but far less efficient.
  • Saving money on nearly new luxury cars is a time-honored buying strategy, but it's risky. Sure, your used BMW is cheap now, but what happens when something complicated breaks? Fortunately, there is a way to have peace of mind: a certified used car. It's more expensive, but theoretically a certified pre-owned BMW should be no problem. And if not, well, there's a guarantee. But does that mean you should consider getting one of Kelley's recently recommended Blue Book BMW CPOs?

    A Used 2019 3 Series is an Excellent Certified Pre-Owned BMW

    Now, just because a manufacturer like BMW sticks a "certified pre-owned" sticker on one of its cars doesn't mean it transforms that car like magic. An unreliable used BMW will not necessarily become more reliable automatically, although it does have a warranty.

    However, that is not the case with KBB 's top choice, the 2019 BMW 3 Series. While the 2020 3 Series is somewhat problematic, the 2019 model is not. Consumer reports gave it a perfect reliability score, which is all the more impressive as BMW redesigned it for 2019. First-year models are generally less reliable than their predecessors.

    However, opting for a Certified Pre-Owned 2019 BMW 3 Series doesn't just save you money. Because it is functionally identical to the current 3 Series, the 2019 model offers the same level of space, technology and performance. And speaking of performance, the 2019 3 Series returned a sizable amount of athleticism to the historic nameplate, KBB Notes.

    One of the downsides of getting a used 2019 BMW 3 Series is the limited choice of powertrains. BMW only offered it in 2.0-liter 330i turbo-four form. But it packs up to 255 hp (wagons have 248 hp) and an optional trail handling package with upgraded brakes and an electronically controlled differential. And while it wasn't standard, the 2019 330i offered Apple CarPlay.


    In short, this is one certified pre-owned BMW KBB suggestion worth considering.

    If You Want a Certified Pre-Owned 2019 BMW 5 Series, the More Cylinders the Better

    Kelley Blue Book Recommends Certified Pre-Owned 2019 BMW 5 Series

    As stated earlier, one of the benefits of buying a Certified Pre-Owned BMW is a factory warranty. True, it is only for one year, but the mileage is unlimited. Also, like other manufacturers, BMW only lists these cars for sale after inspecting them and replacing broken components. And given the Series 5's often high maintenance costs, it definitely helps.

    However, don't overlook KBB 's suggestion to get a used 2019 5 Series. Although it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the 2022 5-Series, BMW has added a bunch of standard tech to the redesigned 2019 model. You get Apple CarPlay, front and rear parking sensors, navigation and a wide selection of advanced driver assistance safety features. Granted, BMW did offer things like gesture control as an option, which may seem fancy and expensive to fix to some. But RS gave it a reliability score of 3/5 – not great, but not terrible.

    Plus, despite being more luxurious than sporty, the 2019 5 Series is still reasonably athletic, KBB reports. And it lacks neither space nor comfort. Also, while some luxury sedans can use electronic dampers in their adaptive suspensions, the 2019 5 Series has a mechanical version.

    If you're shopping for a Certified Pre-Owned 2019 BMW 5 Series, however, KBB recommends skipping. The four-cylinder 530i and 530e (plug-in hybrids) might be efficient on paper, but the IRL engine has to be worked hard. By contrast, the 335bhp turbocharged 540i six-cylinder is smooth and “muscular.” KBB says. BMW's hallmark is the straight-six, after all. Plus, it's more efficient than the M550i xDrive's 456-hp twin-turbo V8.

    So, provided you're willing to pay for post-warranty maintenance, a Certified Pre-Owned 2019 BMW 5 Series has a lot to offer.

    You might need the extended warranty with the 2019 X3

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    Remember that certified pre-owned status doesn't immediately make a car more reliable? This is undoubtedly true of the next used vehicle on KBB , the 2019 BMW X3.

    On the plus side, the BMW X3 has low maintenance costs for a luxury SUV. Plus, it's surprisingly fun to drive in both AWD xDrive and RWD sDrive forms. It also rolls comfortably and thanks to an 8-inch ground clearance, it can do light off-roading. And for 2019, BMW made front and rear parking sensors standard, along with forward collision warning.

    However, RS gave the 2019 X3 a reliability score of 2/5, indicating below-average reliability. Also, MotorTrend 's long-term X3 developed strange suspension creaks and a leaky roof after only 10,000 miles. Plus, while KBB says the "minimalist" interior is spacious and upscale, MT found parts of the cabin rather cheap.

    Admittedly, the long-term MT X3 was a 2018 model, freshly redesigned. Additionally, the goal of BMW's Certified Pre-Owned program is to detect these issues before taking delivery. And despite the reliability concerns, MT enjoyed its time with the X3. Plus, as KBB notes, the X3 is BMW's best-selling vehicle.

    Still, the 2019 X3 is a Certified Pre-Owned BMW that could benefit from a look from a second set of independent trained eyes.

    The Certified Pre-Owned 2019 BMW X5 Deserves Its KBB But Award

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    While getting a Certified Pre-Owned 2019 X3 might be slightly risky, the next BMW SUV KBB recommends should be a safer bet. It's the 2019 BMW X5, which has the highest KBB rating of the five vehicles listed here. Also, Consumer Reports calls it "one of the best vehicles we've ever tested."

    Granted, RS also noted that the 2019 X5 has intermediate reliability, likely because BMW redesigned it that year. However, it's a significant step up in this regard from the problem-prone X5 of the previous generation. Also, while the X3 didn't earn an above-average RS reliability score until 2021, the X5 got it in 2020.

    Moreover, the 2019 BMW X5 has a more luxurious interior than the previous generation. It also has more standard safety features, a better infotainment system, and even offers an optional off-road package. And you can get it with a third row, however KBB notes that such X5s are somewhat rare. Plus, it's really fun to drive, with a "smooth" chassis and "nimble...responsive" handling. MT says.

    Unfortunately, a Certified Pre-Owned 2019 X5 will likely cost you more than the previously described BMWs. Also, MT found some of its ADAS features could use a bit more polishing. And, like the X3, the X5's reliability improved after MY 2019.

    Still, KBB has the right idea on this one. If you want a comfortable luxury BMW SUV with like-new tech at a discount with a warranty, you could do a lot worse than a 2019 X5.

    The 2019 X7 offers plenty of space and luxury, but quickly consumes gas

    Although a 2019 X5 has an optional third row, it's not the roomiest on the market. So if you need a three-row luxury SUV, KBB 's Certified Pre-Owned BMW choice is the 2019 X7.

    Along with plenty of space, the 2019 X7 also offers plenty of luxury. As BMW's premium SUV – and its first three-row – it has a ton of standard features. Even the base model features adaptive air suspension, double-glazed glass, leather upholstery and a full ADAS suite. And the options list includes things like crystal-clear glass controls and an illuminated panoramic sunroof.

    However, a used BMW X7 is not a perfect fit for a luxury SUV. For one thing, it's basically a luxury family bus, so it's not the most nimble vehicle, MT Notes. Second, while the base 335-hp turbocharged inline-six isn't as weak as some think, it's more fuel-efficient than the twin-turbo V8. Yes, the V8 produces 456 hp, but it also burns 4-5 mpg less than the straight-six and both drink premium fuel. Plus, despite its three family rows, the X7's power seats are frustratingly slow.

    With that and today's gas prices, a Certified Pre-Owned 2019 BMW X7 might be too SUV for some. But it's a KBB suggestion to keep in mind if you really need that many SUVs.

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