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Translogic 186: 1978 Ferrari 308 GTE Virtual Reality Test Drive

For years we've heard about how virtual reality will revolutionize the world, but only recently does the technology seem poised to hit the mainstream. From advanced headsets like the Oculus Rift, to simple cardboard viewers that turn your smartphone into a VR device, 360-degree videos promise to take us closer to the action than ever before. What does it all mean for the automotive world? Imagine first-person views from behind the wheel of your favorite car, at a famous track. Or, augmented-reality owners manuals. Or, in the instance of today's episode of Translogic, a ride-along in an all-electric Ferrari with host Jonathon Buckley. We partnered with industry innovators from 8112 Studios to bring you a 360-view test drive of a 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS, converted to an all electric "GTE" by EV West. Hear about the process in the episode above, and experience the 360-VR test drive using the player below. To experience the 360-VR test drive on your smart device, download the Littlstar app on the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android. Watch the 360-VR test drive on your computer using the Littlstar player below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Oculus Rift users can download the 360-VR video file here. YouTube users can watch here. Can't get enough of automotive VR content? Take a virtual test drive of the newest luxury vehicles with our Autoblog 360 app! Have an RSS feed? Click here to add Translogic. Follow Translogic on Twitter and Facebook. Click here to learn more about our host, Jonathon Buckley. Green Ferrari Technology Emerging Technologies Gadgets Smartphone Convertible Electric Performance Translogic Videos Original Video virtual reality

FCA is setting a five-year strategy: Here's how the last one played out

We're slightly more than four years removed from Sergio Marchionne last five-year plan for FCA, a tell-all where the Italian-American automaker divulged its plans for the 2014 through 2018 model years. It was a grand affair, where Sergio told FCA investors that all was right in Auburn Hills, Alfa Romeo and Maserati were making comebacks, and the fifth-gen Dodge Viper received a mid-cycle refresh. You can read every last one of those past predictions right here. We're on our way to Europe to see Sergio's sequel, coming out Friday straight from FCA's Italian headquarters. (Bloomberg reports a plan to expand Jeep and Ram globally, combine Alfa Romeo and Maserati into a single division for an eventual spinoff, and downsizing Fiat and Chrysler. Also, EVs.) But before we arrive in Italy and find out exactly what Marchionne has planned for 2019 through 2023 as his last act as CEO, let's take a minute to tally up the results of his last term based on the same scoresheet we used in 2014. Now, we're only five months into 2018, so much of this — including vehicles like the Ram HD and Jeep Grand Wagoneer — could still debut this year. For those, we'll mark things TBD. We're not going to draw any conclusions or make any objectionable remarks. We're simply going to let the stats speak for themselves.

Ferrari F12 races Air Malta A320 jet

Air Malta recently worked up a little stunt that pitted an Airbus A320 against a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta in a drag race to raise funds for charity. It's easy to forget just how quick something the size of a jetliner can be, but watching the video below shows us just where the big passenger aircraft stands when it comes to sprinting down a runway. We won't spoil the clip for you, you'll just have to check out the showdown below.
Air Malta says it raised over 178,820 euro with the stunt, which is around $230,000. That's despite the fact that intermittent rain showers kept crowds away. Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton even stopped by to say "Hi" to the crowds. He wasn't piloting the F12, however. Check out the video below for yourself.