Drive Wire: March 29, 2016

The return of the Trans-Am, automatic braking, Chrysler packages, smart windshields, and the GoPro Bombsquad.

byThe Drive Staff|
Drive Wire: March 29, 2016
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Hey guys, it’s Christina Thompson and this is Drive Wire for Tuesday, March 29.

Big news for muscle car lovers, the Trans-Am is coming back. Yes, Pontiac is still dead, but a Florida company called Trans Am Depot will take your Camaro and do it up “zam-style” with everything from T-tops in the roof to a screaming chicken on the hood. Prices start at $30,000 plus your donor car, and if you act now and chip in a cool hundred $15,000, you may still be able to get one of their 77 Smokey and the Bandit limited editions. Not a Trans-Am fan? Well, there’s probably something wrong with you, but Trans-Am Depot will be happy to build you a GTO version instead.

Turning to the world of semi-autonomous driving, Toyota has announced that nearly all its cars, including Lexus models, will have automatic emergency braking included as standard by 2017. Yes, that’s by next year. The feature is an extra-cost option now on all models, but it’ll come already equipped on everything but the Four-Runner, the Lexus GS, and the Toyota 86 coupe. Safety-wise? It’s good news. For those who get uneasy about autonomous driving? The future might be coming sooner than you’d like.

In order to match the performance-oriented sedans of GM, Chrysler has announced some appearance changes to its old faithful flagship sedan. The 300 will get a sport appearance package when the 2017 model goes on sale. The package will include a redesigned front fascia with LED fog lamps, new door sills, a trunk-mounted spoiler, and special wheels. There’s also a separate interior package with heated and ventilated seats done up in perforated leather. Nice to see the old 300 still plugging away.

Today in gear, we look to the future. Samsung has developed a new heads-up display for motorbike riders and they’re calling it the Smart Windshield. The video shows a Nav feature, which motorcyclists and scooterists will love, along with phone integration. Although this is a concept product and not something for sale, we’re rooting for it to become a reality soon. 

In today's ridiculous video, we ride along with JT Holmes and the GoPro Bombsquad as they sore through the air in what we can only describe as a flock of crazies. Flying through the air at breakneck speeds, the Bombsquad is loaded to the gills with GoPros to capture every moment of the insane jump. Should something like this take place at our next team outing? If your answer is yes, be prepared to hear a lot of grown men cry.

That’s it for today’s edition of Drive Wire. For more, be sure to come back to thedrive.com, and follow us @thedrive on all your favorite social media platforms.

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