Pirelli Calendar 2012

Via Kathy Shaidle:

BONUS: At London's Daily Mail, "She's at it again: Veteran exhibitionist Kate Moss never tires of stripping for Pirelli calendar":

Since it's inception in 1964, Pirelli has instructed leading photographers to capture the world's most beautiful women on film for the exclusive calendar solely as a gift for royalty, celebrities and VIP customers.

Luxury Car Crash in Japan

At Los Angeles Times, "Eight Ferraris smashed in luxury car crash on Japanese highway."

Video: Via Andrew Bolt.

Test-Driving the 2012 Porsche 911

I mentioned that I worked valet parking back in the '80s. It was a fun job. Valets get to drive the world's best cars, and in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa (South Coast Plaza), there's no shortage of fabulous vehicles. The thrill of a Mercedes wears off pretty quickly, but I never tired of the Porsches.

In any case, I'm reminded of all this with the review at Popular Science, "Driven: The All-New 2012 Porsche 911" (via Instapundit).

Yep, best 911 ever. The new 991 is larger, faster, sportier, more efficient, and basically makes the last generation look as outdated as a four-button ventless suit with double-pleated pants. We loved the drive of the new version and feel it is the telos of the 911 model range. With its near-perfect blend of style, speed and technology, it's a surefire winner. Until the next all-new 911 comes out and starts the cycle anew.

Note: The video features owners taking possessing of their new cars at the El Toro Air Station in Irvine earlier this year. Saddleback Mountain can be seen at just after 1:00 minute at the clip.

Reinventing the World of 'Cars'

“Wherever you can go in our world, we can go in the world of ‘Cars.’” ~ Director John Lasseter

... it was during the international publicity tour for “Cars” that the director first imagined his car-cast in a global setting. Lasseter says he took in the mayhem of international locales like Tokyo and Paris laughed to himself thinking, “what would Mater do?” “The story of ‘Cars 2′ was sparked by the idea of taking Lightning McQueen and Mater overseas,” says Lasseter. “Lighting McQueen is invited to compete in the World Grand Prix to race against the fastest cars in the world in three fantastic locations: Japan (shown above), Italy and the U.K. Of course Mater, who has never left Radiator Springs, is completely out of place in these distinctive cultures, which leads to hilarious comedic moments.”

Read the entire spread (it's phenomenal in terms of the color graphics and the historical aspect of taking 'Cars' global):  Pixar's 25th Anniversary/CARS 2:  Going Global

Illustration credits here.