Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy Look to Write Another 'Before Sunrise' Film

Nearly two years ago, some surprise talks came from Ethan Hawke about the potential of another film in a surprising film series that started with Before Sunrise and continued with Before Sunset. At the time, Hawke had been kicking around some ideas with director Richard Linklater and co-star Julie Delpy (who both also wrote the film with Hawke) for a return to the romancing characters who spent an all-nighter in Vienna back in 1995. Now Hawke is stirring the pot again, but now it sounds like there's more potential for the film to come together with plans to start writing the sequel sometime before the end of the year.
In speaking with the French film outlet AlloCine (via Vulture), Hawke says, "All three of us have been having similar feelings that we're ready to revisit those characters. There's nine years between the first two movies and, if we made the film next summer, it would be nine years again so we've really started thinking that would be a good thing to do. We're going to try write it this year." The last film ended with Hawke's character Jesse missing his flight as Celine (Delpy) sweetly sang to him. It was an open ended conclusion that would allow for audiences to fill in their own ending, but now, nine years after the fact, we may find out where these characters have ended up yet again. The unlikely franchise contains some of the best written dialogue and most genuine performances to ever grace a romance, and getting Linklater, Hawke and Delpy back together for another go-round and possible end in a trilogy sounds fantastic. Thoughts?

ZCWO 1/6 Mens Collection Boxing Legend outfit set

This will be ZCWO's next release: Vol. 003 1/6 scale Mens Collection Boxing Legend (Action Figure Not Included) which looks rather interesting and GREAT for kitbashing, if you are into kitbashing. Kitbashing is the practice of modifying a model (not limited to toy action figures) to achieve some result other than that intended by the manufacturer. So since this is a outfit and accessories set with NO 12-inch figure included, the choice is left to you to decide how you want your figure to look.

The 1/6 scale Sylvester Stallone looking head sculpt is used purely for marketing purposes and is NOT part of this Mens Collection set. The fact that this ZCWO 1/6 scale Mens Collection Boxing Legend outfit set comes with boxing gloves is definitely inspired by Sylvester Stallone's role as Rocky in the 1976 movie "Rocky" about a small time boxer who gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight the world heavyweight boxing champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.

ROCKY, made on a budget of less than $1 million and shot in 28 days, was a sleeper hit; it made over $225 million which was the highest grossing film of 1976, and won three Oscars, including Best Picture. The film received many positive reviews and turned Stallone into a major star. It spawned five sequels: Rocky II, III, IV, V and Rocky Balboa.

ZCWO 1/6 scale Mens Collection Boxing Legend outfit set will come with Denim Jeans, Denim Jacket, Black Sweater, Brown Leather Belt, Black Cold Cap, Backpack, Black Socks, Black Boxing Shoes, Red Boxing Gloves, Necklace, Towel

Accessories include 1/6 scale Mirror, Clothes Hook, Metal Bucket x 2, Folding Chair, Water Bottle x 10, Beer Cans x 6, Lighter, Cigarettes x 2, Banknotes x 12, Posters x 20, Changing Room Background

Also included: Body Parts - 2 pairs of hands, 1 pair of Feet and 1 pair of Bandaged Fists

Fiat to Abarth 595 Specials and 695 Assetto Corse Racer

There seems to be no end to the release of differently flavored versions of the Fiat 500, the Abarth version of which made its North American debut in L.A. just last week.

Today, the Italian company announced that it would reveal two new production editions and a racing version of the Abarth 500 at the forthcoming 2011 Bologna Motor Show, which takes place in Italy from December 3 to 11.

The new production models are the Abarth 595 Turismo and 595 Competizione, the first of which is said to target buyers that would like a sporty model "without going to an extreme", while the other is designed to appeal to those that would like something a little more aggressive.

Both models are fitted with the peppier 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder T-Jet engine featuring Abarth's customization kit that lifts output to 160-horses and 230Nm (169.6 lb-ft) at 3,000 rpm, for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 211km/h (131mph).

The 595 Turismo is equipped with an electrically-operated manual transmission with controls on the steering wheel, while the 595 Competizione comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The Turismo stands out thanks to its two-tone livery in black and red, an option first introduced on the convertible model. The aluminum 595 logos on the rear fenders and tailgate along with the titanium-colored 17-inch alloy wheels complete the exterior upgrades. Inside, the Turismo gets two-tone red and black leather seats and steering wheel, and aluminum pedals and trim accents.

Moving onto the 595 Competizione, it sports a special Grigio Record exterior paint finish complemented by matching-color 17-inch alloy wheels, yellow Brembo brake calipers and aluminum logos on the rear fenders and tailgate. The two-tone natural leather and alcantara bucket seats from Sabelt highlight the interior while the same color combo makes its appearance on the door panels and steering wheel rim.

Fiat said that both the 595 Turismo and Competizione are also available with a variety of performance upgrades such as the sports brake and suspension kits.

The third 500-based model making its debut in Bologna is the Abarth 695 "Assetto Corse", which was designed for track racing. The competition model is powered by a specially tuned 1.4-liter turbocharged four-pot with 205HP and it comes equipped with race-spec wheels, brakes, transmission and suspension along with all of the safety equipment required by FIA regulations, including a roll-bar welded to the body.

MINI John Cooper Works R53

Car wrapping specialist CoverEFX has presented not one, but two more takes on the first new generation of the MINI John Cooper Works [JCW] sports hatch with the R53 designation. Both cars feature a special vinyl wrap along with a host of performance upgrades.

The first JCW features a bright yellow vinyl wrap for the body and glossy black finish for the trim details such as the grille, headlamps, wheel arches and the new roof spoiler.

The British hatch rides on a lowered Bilstein B14 suspension and new 17-inch OZ Racing alloy wheels wrapped in Toyo tires size 205/40-17. A software optimization and a new handcrafted sports exhaust system help lift the four-cylinder turbo engine's output to 234 horses.

The second JCW model from CoverEFX features a similar exterior theme only this time the body is finished in a light blue color called "Smurf Blue". Performance upgrades include a Bilstein B16 suspension kit, an OMP strut brace and a supporting arm as well as an adjustable rear stabilizer (17 mm) by H & R.

Under the hood, a Mcchip-Dkr software kit along with a Schrick camshaft, a GP charge air cooler and a sports air filter boost output to 236-horses.

Both Mini JCW's were also fitted with a a race-spec rollcage and Recaro bucket seats.

Lancia New Ypsilon Black&Red

Remember the times when Lancia targeted the younger end of the male audience with cars like the beautifully penned Flavia Coupe and the rally-born Delta HF Integrale series? Sadly, those days are finito.

Nowadays, the Italian company is trying to reach out to the same demographic with trim models like the new Ypsilon Black&Red that will make its debut at next month's 2011 Bologna Motor Show.

According to Lancia's own words, the new trim level "is designed as an alternative for a younger and male target that prefers contents associated with sporty style and audio technology."

The Ypsilon Black&Red is available with a choice of two engines, a 1.2-liter gasoline unit with 69-horses or a 1.3-liter turbodiesel producing 95-horsepower.

There are only four exterior colors available - Argilla Red, Vulcano Black, three-layer Fiamma Red and two-tone Argilla Red with Vulcano Black roof, and a single interior theme with two-tone black and red upholstery.

The car's standard equipment includes a manual air-conditioning system, a higher-end 360° Hi-Fi Music system, 15-inch alloy wheels, height-adjustable driver seat, electric windows up front, and an array of safety features such as ABS + EBD, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) complete with ASR and Hill Holder, plus front and side airbags.

Lexus GS 250 with 209HP 2.5-liter V6

The new generation of the Lexus GS premium saloon will soon become more attainable –at least in certain markets around the world- as the Japanese carmaker revealed the new entry-level GS 250 today at the China International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, which will be open to the public from November 22 through 28.

The GS 250 is the third model in the new GS lineup, after the previously revealed GS 350, which is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 delivering 306-ponies and the GS 450h top-end model that links a 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 to the Lexus Hybrid Drive for a combined system output of 338-horsespower.

At the heart of the new GS 250 lies Lexus' 2.5-litre V6 gasoline engine with D-4S direct port injection and Dual VVT-i intelligent valve timing.

It produces a maximum output of 209HP (154 kW/206bhp) at 6,400rpm and 253Nm (187 lb-ft) of peak torque at 4,800rpm, accelerating the GS 250 from 0-100km/h (62mph) in 8.6 seconds en route to a top speed of 230km/h (143mph).

According to Lexus, the GS 250 returns a combined fuel economy of 8.9lt/100 km (equal to 26.4mpg US or 31.7mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 207g/km.

The new 2.5-liter V6 is hooked up to a standard '6 Super ECT' close-ratio 6-speed automatic transmission that features a sequential manual shifting mode.

Depending on the trim level, the base version of the GS will be offered with a range of new tech gizmos including a 12.3-inch multimedia screen, a new S-flow air conditioning system with air purifying technology, and a new Mark Levinson audio system with up to 17 speakers.

Furthermore, the GS 250 will also be available with the optional F Sport Package that adds a host of adds cosmetic as well as performance upgrades including bespoke bumpers, 19-inch alloy wheels, a sports suspension and a more direct steering wheel system.

Lexus said that the new GS 250 would be available in several markets around the world including China, Japan and Europe, with more specific details to be released nearer the time of launch next year. No word yet if the base GS will make it to North America.

Daimler and BYD EV with a New Concept Model

Joint venture partners Daimler AG and BYD Auto revealed plans today to preview their upcoming dedicated electric-car for China with a new design concept at the next Beijing Auto Show in April of 2012.

Last year, the two companies formed a 50-50 joint R&D venture called "Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd" or "BDNT" for short, to create a new brand that will focus on the development of pure electric vehicles for China.

Mercedes-Benz's parent company said that in addition to showing the concept car which previews the production model's exterior and interior design, BDNT would also use the show to reveal the brand’s identity, including its name, logo and positioning in the Chinese car market.

As for the actual production model, Daimler said that work on the first prototypes has already begun with the target to have them running by springtime next year.