Stolen Fiesta Discovered in DC, BTW, Here's How "MacHammer" Bronstein Treats the Small Ford

According to Scott Monty, head of social media at FoMoCo, Jake Bronstein's (or as one of our readers called him, "MacHammer") Fiesta Movement was tracked down somewhere in the DC area a day after it was reported stolen. Monty said on his twitter feed that the "condition and whereabouts of suspect unknown" and that "the car hasn't been phsyically found yet." Well, guess we'll have to wait to see how this story develops. On another note, here's one of the ways that Bornstein chose to create a little buzz around the Fiesta: he put a sign on the car asking people to stand on the hood and take a snapshot...

"I find it’s almost as fun to climb on as it is climb in… probably because I don’t actually own it. Here’s the thing though, you don’t own it either. So I’d like you to get up on the hood too," says Bronstein on his site.

We're pretty much convinced that Mr Bronstein considers this idea totally cool and hip in terms of publicity and truth is, we're actually playing his game by writing this post that will not only be read by thousands of people but will also be picked up by other sites.

There's a million or so ways to achieve publicity, especially when you have a hot product like the Fiesta. Difference is that it takes time and brains to do it in way that shows class, quality and most of all, intelligence.

The easiest and less costly thing in the world is to draw attention upon yourself by being obnoxious, disrespectful, idiotic and catastrophic - something like MTV's Jackass generation. Put a Fiesta Movement car on fire, film it and you'll have a million hits on Youtube before you can say 'presto' (now don't get any ideas...). Sorry, but that's not remotely cool or trendy in our book.

If Ford really doesn't have a problem with these kind of promotional tactics, then we're glad we stayed away from the whole Fiesta Movement (or)deal.

Links: zoomdoggle , Twitter Feeds: JakeHimself & Scott Monty

eBay Find: Jaguar XK Convertible Crossdressed as an Aston Martin

So what do you do when you have a salvageable Jaguar XK8 Convertible wreck in your hands? Well, you can either try to restore it to its previous condition as most people would or alternatively, create a whole different type of car like this eBay owner did. Thanks to the extended use of fiberglass, the XK8 denounces its wild-cat heritage and enters the 'fantastic' world of Aston Martin replicas with styling elements from the lone-gone Vanquish. Love the glued on steering wheel badge but think we'll pass on this one.

Link: eBay

Lexus IS Convertible F-Sport: New Photo Gallery

Since the new IS C -where 'C 'evidently stands for convertible- has started arriving in Lexus showrooms across the U.S., Lexus thought it would be a good idea to slip out a new gallery of its hardtop cabrio accessorized with the Japanese firm's F-Sport performance parts. Both the IS 250C and IS 350C can be upgraded with a bevy of performance enhancing accessories such as 19-inch forged alloy wheels, brake upgrades, suspension systems, air intake, exhaust systems and more. As expected, all parts are fully warranted for 12 months or for the balance of the new car warranty, whichever is greater.

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LEXUS PRESS RELEASE

F-Sport 18 and 19-inch Forged Alloy Wheels

The F-Sport forged alloy wheels, exclusively designed in a dark graphite finish, not only add an aggressive look to the exterior, but help enhance performance through increased strength and decreased weight. The F-Sport wheels require the use of spline-drive lug nuts, which are included in the available Wheel Installation Kit.

F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade

The Front Brake Upgrade provides a firmer pedal feel and improved fade resistance in repeated severe-duty use. The Brake Upgrade features six-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors with a patented internal-fin design mounted on anodized aluminum hubs. Braided stainless-steel brake lines and low-dust performance brake pads are included, and the upgrade can be used with stock or the F-Sport Rear Brake Upgrade.

F-Sport Rear Brake Upgrade

Similar in construction to the F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade, the Rear Brake Upgrade uses four-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors. Braided stainless-steel brake lines and low-dust performance brake pads are also included. The Rear Brake Upgrade may only be used in conjunction with F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade.

F-Sport Shock Absorber Set

Developed in cooperation with Bilstein^® and available exclusively through the F-Sport Performance Accessory program, this shock-absorber set offers sport-tuned suspension dampening without sacrificing ride quality.

F-Sport Lowering Spring Set

This feature lowers the vehicle approximately one inch in the front and rear for a more aggressive appearance and a lower center of gravity. The spring set is engineered to deliver lowered ride height without bottoming out or creating a harsh ride. The sets will be specifically configured for each model and can be used with either the stock or F-Sport Shock Absorber Set.

F-Sport Sway Bar Set

The sway bar set includes larger diameter replacement front-and-rear sway bars that reduce body sway and flatten cornering. Oil-impregnated rubber bushings are also included to replace the original rubber bushings. Each vehicle's sway bar set is specifically configured to achieve the best performance.

F-Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace

To improve chassis stiffness under aggressive driving conditions and provide a more responsive feel during cornering, the F-Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace joins key rear-chassis and suspension mounting points through this tubular steel brace.

F-Sport Performance Exhaust System

This system features all stainless-steel construction with fully polished mufflers and double-wall exhaust tips. In addition to an outstanding appearance, it delivers a powerful, sport-tuned exhaust sound while complying with established sound-level standards and does not affect emissions compliance.

F-Sport Performance Air Intake

This low-restriction intake and filter assembly is fully compatible with stock engine controls and is emission legal in all 50 states.

F-Sport Carbon Fiber Engine Cover

Constructed from real carbon fiber, this light-weight, durable engine cover provides a high-tech appearance under the hood. This is a direct replacement for the original cover.

F-Sport Performance ClutchSet

The F-Sport Performance Clutch Set, available for the IS 250 and IS 250C equipped with the manual transmission, increases clamping force approximately 16 percent to handle higher torque capacity and provide improved feel.

F-Sport Quick Shifter

Engineered and machined from billet aluminum, the F-Sport Quick Shifter for the manual-transmission equipped IS 250 and IS 250C decreases shift throw by approximately 35 percent for quicker and more positive shifting.

F-Sport Shift Knob

Constructed from premium leather and genuine carbon fiber, F-Sport shift knobs are sporty and offer a comfortable curved shape. The manual knob is weighted to provide a sporty and more controlled feel while shifting. Both knobs are detailed with signature blue stitching and a silver F-Sport logo.

F-Sport Floor Mats

Made from the same high-quality 18 ounce nylon carpet as the factory mats, the four-piece set is available in black with a silver embroidered "F-Sport" logo.

VIDEO: 2010 Subaru Legacy JDM Commercial Starring Robert De Niro

The Japanese market 2010 Legacy isn't due for release until May 20, but Subaru has already filmed a TV spot for its new car starring Robert De Niro. The famous actor appears only for a couple of seconds - at the most- in the commercial that shows a white JDM 2010 Legacy Touring rolling around a mountain road. The estate version featured in the advert will be offered in Japan, Europe and other international markets but not in the U.S. which will have to do with the more crossover-like, Outback.

First Ford Fiesta Movement Car Stolen in the U.S.

The guy pictured above with the kitsch sunglasses that we're absolutely sure you're just dying to make a comment about, is Jake Bronstein and he is the first person among the 100 Fiesta Movement agents to have his car stolen. FoMoCo confirmed Jake's story through Scott Monty, head of social media at Ford. According to Monty's twitter feed, the stolen 'hot magenta' Fiesta is equipped with a GPS homing device so unless the thief finds a way to deactivate it, it shouldn't take long for authorities to catch up with him.

But even in the rare case that the police doesn't find the car, we're willing to make a bet that Ford will have made up for the loss with all the publicity it's getting on the matter...

Twitter feeds: Jake Bronstein & Scott Monty, Via: Jalopnik

European Opel and Vauxhall Dealers Want to Buy 20% Stake from General Motors

Instead of waiting for fate to strike, Opel and Vauxhall dealers in Europe have decided to take matters into their own hands by making a proposition to buy a direct equity stake in the European automaker that has been put up for sale by General Motors. The decision was made on Friday after representatives from Opel and Vauxhall's 4,000 dealers in Europe got together in Vienna and approved a plan that could see them controlling a 10 to 20 percent stake in the carmaker.

Euroda, the Opel and Vauxhall European dealers association said that it wants to raise a capital of about €500 million or US$675 million to help GM's European division by having each dealer contribute €150 or US$200 from each car they sell over a period of three years.

"We will start talks with all potential and possible bidders, the governments and GM on Monday," Euroda Chairman Jaap Timmer told reporters. "We are thinking about a 20 percent stake, it could be more, it could be less. Of course it hurts to pay into a fund, but it will pay dividends. It will be far worse if we have no manufacturer at all," Timmer added.

As for two most prominent candidates to obtain a majority stake in the maker, the Austrian - Canadian components maker Magna and Italy's Fiat S.p.A, Timmer said, "Our preference will be clear after we have talked to them. After our talks with the parties, we will go back to the members to get final and binding approval for our plan."

Via: ANE (Sub. Req.)

VIDEO: Top Gear Assembles Fleet of Police Cars

In one of their television flicks, Top Gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard -I love Rod Stewart's 1980s spiky hairpiece- Hammond create a fleet of police cars in their own unique way. The cars of their choice are a previous generation Lexus LS, a Suzuki Vitara 4x4 and a Fiat Coupe. Hit the jump and enjoy the two-part video.