The World's First Fiberglass Wagon Came With Starsky and Hutch Stripes

"While parent company Otosan offered a car with a body that had "infinitive life in all natural conditions" in its brochures, the SV-1600's career ended in 1981 after they built almost 6,500 units. Its successor, the A8-16 sedan was much less popular and Otosan discontinued the Anadol passenger cars in 1986."

More at Jalopnik:
http://jalopnik.com/the-worlds-first-fiberglass-wagon-came-with-starsky-and-1664327501

I love the odd and unusual history of the automotive industry.

2014 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 First Drive

Putting the G in Unglaublich: Ridiculous toys don't get more fun than this The most flabbergasting aspect of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 isn't that it exists, but that it's a production vehicle. As in, you can buy one. AMG has already built nearly 60 units so far this year.

More:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/trucks/1311_2014_mercedes_benz_g63_amg_6x6_first_drive

Porsche 918 Spyder: a 959 for Today?

"The crown jewel of Porsche and possibly Stuttgart's most important model from a technology standpoint since its spiritual predecessor, the 959 of the late 1980s, was unveiled in its final production guise on the eve of the Frankfurt Motor Show during the VW Group Night event."

I think I'd rather have the Porsche that competed in the Dakar rally. The 918 is a dedicated road car, and barring any excursions into gravel corners on tracks, this new car will never likely compete on dirt. The link to the 959 is merely illusory. 

"According to the German brand, the new 918 Spyder "contains the genetic blueprint for the Porsche sportscar of the future," which means that the next generations of Porsche cars will be greatly influenced by this model."

http://www.carscoops.com/2013/09/2014-porsche-918-spyder-revealed-in.html

Motorcycle and Scooter Ride To Work Day

Somehow I always end up driving my cage on Ride to Work Day, while I ride on two wheels nearly every other day of the year. Go figure...

The 23rd annual worldwide Ride to Work Day is expected to be one of the largest-ever, according to Ride to Work, the non-profit organization that coordinates this annual event.

On Ride to Work Day a much higher number of America’s 8,000,000 cycles and scooters are ridden to work. Some estimates put the numbers of added riders at over 1,000,000. Across equal distances, commuting riders can reach their destinations more quickly—in up to 20% less time than those using automobiles in some situations—and motorcycles and scooters consume less resources per person per mile, and they take up less space on roads and in parking areas.

“Many people do not always appreciate the societally positive value of transportational riding, and some don't know there are also a few hidden deleterious ramifications from having almost everyone default to private autos. Cars are wonderful machines, and we love them, but the reasons to ride, when one can, go beyond stuff like energy or carbon footprints” states Andy Goldfine, an event organizer.

This Day is about more than traffic congestion, motorcycles and economics. Winston Churchill famously said: "We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us." Other thought-leaders have presented or expressed the same idea in different ways. It applies to things beyond our homes and buildings. It's about all technologies, including our mobility tools..

That's why riding and the annual Ride To Work Day event is important. This Day is not narrowly about encouraging the wider adoption of transportational riding…it's about increasing the understanding of—and tolerance for—those who choose this form of mobility, and about providing support and encouragement to those who like to ride in transportation-centric ways.

The Ride to Work website includes forum areas, merchandise, information, and free promotional support materials.

Motorcycle and Scooter Ride To Work Day

Paging Jim Connor...

Global RallyCross Is As Close As You'll Ever Get To Gymkhana Nirvana:

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/V8IqT06JXhA/global-rallycross-is-as-close-as-youll-ever-get-to-gym-1461431307

Next-gen Mini could sire 10 different models

The first generation of the reimagined, BMW-backed Mini was a simple things, confined to two body styles - hatchback and four-seat convertible. It wasn't until the second-generation platform came along that Mini began truly expanding, offering a long-wheelbase model, a roadster, a coupe, a five-door crossover, and a three-door, um, thing?

BMW is aiming for 10 to 12 different vehicles from just two brands off one platform.

Besides growth plans, Schwarzenbauer hints that Mini's range of three- and four-cylinder, turbocharged, gas engines may be joined by EVs, plug-in hybrids and the long awaited (for US customers) diesel model. The EV and PHEV models are especially notable, as it signifies both that Mini is ready to expand into alternative energy, which it's avoided outside of the Mini E, while also pointing out that BMW's i division won't be the only ones playing with electricity.

More: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/10/12/next-gen-mini-could-sire-10-different-models-including-phev

Since the Mini was reintroduced, I was excited to see a small car with an efficient diesel engine in the US market. Nearly all firms have ignored this segment, with even fewer offerings in the last decade. The Germans are the only ones offering cars in this segment these days, and it looks like this could expand even more in the future. I've always liked the Audi compact wagons like the A4, or Volkswagen's Jetta wagon. Just add AWD and I'd be sold on a diesel Mini, or even an X1. 

Who Thought A Jeep Named 'Comanche Eliminator' Was A Good Idea?

Hmmm, something funny in that marquee...

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jalopnik/full/~3/gBPq1jpGHcE/who-thought-a-jeep-named-comanche-eliminator-was-a-go-576610241