Prius Goes Plural and Creates A People Person To Introduce The New Models.

The original Toyota Prius, now in its third generation, is being joined by three new models; the Prius v coming in fall 2011, the Prius Plug-in and the Prius c Concept- both coming in spring 2012.



To introduce viewers to the growing Prius Family from Toyota, Saatchi LA devised an unusual effect for a television commerical, creating one metaphorical person by assembling 18 different human bodies - a unique way to communicate meeting the needs of multiple people.



The metaphor then unravels when the "people person" sees the new Toyota Prius models parked outside. The spot was directed by Mr. Hide (who directed the Prius Harmony spots in which the landscapes were created with people) and was mostly shot with live-action, large-scale props, and some green-screen help to create backgrounds. The spot is airing in both 60 second and 30 second versions.






The set, a suburban neighborhood, was shot using a miniature set. See how they did it in the video below.





It took a lot of people to bring this effect to life. Below is a list of the full credits.

Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles
Client: Toyota
ECD: Margaret Keene
ECD: Chris Adams
ECD: Mike McKay
Creative Director: Ryan Jacobs
Creative Director: Jeff Church
ACD/Copywriter: Andy Kadin
ACD/Designer: Zach Richter
Copywriter: Kimberley Ragan
Art Director: Rebecca Johnson-Pond
Production Artist: Clint Hudspet
Director of Integrated Production/Multimedia: Tanya LeSieur
Broadcast Senior Producer: Jennifer Pearse
3D Producer: Carl Deo
Prod. Co.: The Sweet Shop
Exec. Producer: Philip Detchmendy
President of Prod. Co.: Paul Prince
President of Prod. Co.: Steve Dickstein
Director: Mr. Hide
Editing Company: Bikini Editorial
Exec. Producer: Gina Pagano
Editor: Avi Oron
Assistant Editor: Sterling Robertson
Finish/Special Effects: Eight VFX
VFX Supervisor: Jean Marc Demmer
Exec. Producer: Baptiste Andrieux
Exec. Producer: Shira Boardman
VFX Producer: Donna Langston
VFX Coordinator: Douglas Scruton
Roto & Paint: Marianne Magne
Roto & Paint: Chris Fregoso
Roto & Paint: Natalia Schkliar
3D Artist: Mathias Jourdes
3D Artist: Shuichi Nakahara
3D Artist: Jerome Platteaux
3D Artist: Kevin Culhane
3D Artist: Oliver Arnold
3D Supervisor: Giancarlo Lari
3D Supervisor: Vania Alba-Zapata
Compositor: Raphael Mosley
Compositor: Andy Davis
Compositor: Mathieu Caulet
Compositor: Yann Mallard
Compositor: Stephane Allender
Compositor: Marcelo Pasqualino
Compositor: Dave Stern
Compositor: Joe Chiao
Compositor: Tony Petitti
Compositor: Colleen Smith
Music/Supervisor: Agoraphone Music/ Beth Urdang
Music/Editor: Go Home Productions/ Mark Vodler
Sound Design/Mix: Lime/ Rohan Young

The Auto Lovers Superyacht Gets Updated. The Strand Craft 166 By Gray Design

You may recall having seen images and renderings of Gray Design's Strand Craft 122, a sleek modern luxury yacht designed with an on-board garage, complete with supercar, to appeal to the automobile lover, on many design blogs and sites a few months back.

Gray Design's first take on the Auto lover's superyacht, the Strand Craft 122:


Now, Eduard Gray of Gray Design has come out with the Strand Craft 166, a new version of the superyacht, designed around the automotive theme.

The SC166



The Strand Craft 166 is an uncompromising superyacht that is as outrageous as it is daring. Designed entirely around an automotive theme, this yacht is ideal for owners who are addicted to that new leather smell. Her low stance, enormous length and curled haunches give this vessel a dynamic aesthetic that is guaranteed to turn heads in the most well appointed marinas.

Retractable flybridge



Contributing to the sleek profile of the yacht is the retractable flybridge and radar mast that retreat into the skin of the yacht when not in use. Both can be deployed independently of each other and are available only when they are required, ensuring the yacht keeps the cleanest possible lines for making that first impression. Strengthening this philosophy are the twin concealed entrances to the yacht, hiding the stairway to the upper aft deck as well as providing access to the garage, bar and lounge areas.

Hidden jacuzzi deck


Concealed beneath the carbon fibre inlaid fore deck is a sun deck equipped with a large jacuzzi, sporting a built-in bar to ensure that every party is well catered for. Access is through a vertically sliding glass door in the windscreen of the pilot house where there is ample seating for 8 guests.



The pilot house itself opens up to the lounge to provide a smooth transition and connection between the driver and the main guest area and at the same time letting in light from the main windscreen to the spaces below.

Supercar tender
Following Strand Craft's automotive tradition, the SC166 comes equipped with it's own custom supercar tender. Created in the same design language as it's carrier, the tender ensures you can roll out at your favorite port in ultimate style. With a V8 engine producing 620 horsepower and a top speed of 305 kph, the tender is an accessory that will certainly put a smile on your face.



Alternatively, you can order your own choice of conveyance to accessorize your superyacht. Be it Koenigsegg, Maybach, Lamborghini, Ferrari, or a waterborne tender, the choice is yours.




Interior and exterior automotive styling
The automotive theme is rich in the SC166, from the cockpit like glasshouse on the upper deck to the red leather covered upholstery that adorns large surfaces of the interior. Chrome highlights sparkle in every part of the cabin and the walls are treated to a highly polished gunmetal automotive lacer. Brushed aluminum trims the windows and bar area and the hallways are bathed in soft LED spotlighting.



Completing the specification list, there are five double en-suite staterooms, each equipped with 52 inch Bang & Olufsen TVs, top of the line sound systems, LED mood lighting and a iPad control and information center from Poets Road to allow you to activate any function from wherever you are on the yacht as well as providing essential information about the running and status of the vessel and it's massive engines.

Powered by two MTU 20V4000 M93L 2x4300KW (2x5766hp) engines with a Vericor TF50 4177KW (5600hp) booster engine the SC166 is capable of cruising speeds of 30 knots with a top speed of 40 knots.

SC166 Specifications

LOA---------------------------------------50 m
BEAM---------------------------------------9 m
CONSTRUCTION--------------High Tech Composites
DRAUGHT (loaded)-------------------------1.9 m
WEIGHT---------------------------------230 Ton
ENGINES-------------------2 x MTU 20V4000 M93L
BOOSTER---------------------------Vericor TF50
PROPULSION-------Water Jets Rolls-Royce KAMEWA
TOP SPEED---------------------------~ 40 Knots
FUEL CAPACITY--------------------------35000 L
FRESHWATER CAPACITY---------------------5000 L
BOW THRUSTERS------------------------------TBA
STABILIZERS--------------------------------TBA
GENERATORS---------------------------------TBA
WATERMAKERS--------------------------------TBA
GREY / BLACK WATER CAPACITY----------------TBA

SC166 Tender Specifications

ENGINE----------------------------4.3 liter V8
TORQUE-------------------------------347 lb-ft
HP---------------------------510 hp @ 8500 rpm
0-62 MPH---------------------------3.7 seconds
TOP SPEED------------------------------196 mph



Grey Design Studio

Örnvägen 52
468 33 Vargön
Sweden

images and video courtesy of Grey Design.
A special thanks to Luxist for bringing this to my attention.

Tech and Entertainment On Wheels: The Limited Edition Scion XB Release Series 6.0

The Scion XB Release Series 6.0 (xB RS 6.0) is a limited edition vehicle with a production run of only 2,500 vehicles. Created to be your advanced mobile entertainment center, it ensures that you are always dialed in to friends, entertainment and your world.





• The Look – This vehicle has stand-out features with Scion’s iconic styling including a bold exterior color, detailed fabric seats, RS wheel covers and an RS numbered holographic badge



•Video Playback iPod® Connectivity – Dock your iPod video to the head unit and watch movies when the vehicle is in park



•Built-in Bluetooth® – Allows you to connect your mobile phone to the system so you never need to miss a call or deal with earpieces again



•Google Maps – Send information from Google Maps to your Pioneer navigation system



•Personalized Mapping & Settings – Meet up with friends without getting lost by creating custom points of interest via the Internet, and customize personal settings via the built-in SD card slot or USB memory device



•LED color changing interior light






• Color keyed spoiler




STANDARD EXTERIOR FEATURES:
• Choice of three wheel cover designs
• Chrome exhaust tip
• Intermittent front wiper
• Multi-reflector halogen headlamps with projector lamp for low beams
• Rear privacy glass
• Rear wiper
• Remote keyless entry
• Roof mounted antenna
• Side mirrors with turn indicators

STANDARD INTERIOR FEATURES
• 60/40-split, fold flat rear seat
• Air conditioning
• Auto-shift door lock (A/T models)
• Cargo area under-floor storage
• Center console
• Deep orange instrument panel illumination
• Cruise control
• Cup holders
• Digital clock and speedometer
• Driver and front passenger sunvisor with mirror
• Driver’s seat-mounted armrest
• Driver’s seat with adjustable height
• First-aid kit
• Front sport bucket seats with fabric upholstery
• Multi-information display
• Power door locks, outside mirrors and windows with one-touch auto down on driver’s side
• Rear window defogger
• Storage tray under rear seat
• Tachometer and trip meter
• Tilt steering wheel with audio controls





The vehicle enters the market starting at $17,493 for manual and $18,443 for automatic. This pricing makes the Scion xB RS 6.0 $2,462 less than the Honda Element[1] ($2,142 with the spoiler) and $1,567 less than the Chevrolet HHR[2] ($1,247 with the spoiler).

The XB RS 6.0 will be on display at the Detroit Auto Show beginning January 11th.

[1] 2009 Honda Element 2WD LX manual transmission MSRP (DPH Not Included). No available navigation system.
[1] 2009 Chevrolet HHR LS manual transmission MSRP (DPH Not Included). No available navigation system.

The official Scion site.