Wired is running a very cute photo essay entitled “The Day BMW Became the Ultimate Driving Machine.” Fun photos of the Mille Miglia and the BMW 328 abound and the story reminds me of Go Like Hell!, one of the better books I’ve read in a long while (thanks, Kate’s dad.)
A how-to for nerds (and not just the car kind.) The topic: taking great car photos with only an iPhone. Now, as an iPhone user, an amateur photographer and a person prone to taking photos of his own car – and periodically the cars of others – this was perfect.
The example images of an Audi S4 sure didn’t hurt either…
What series of events must transpire in one’s life to make this level of insanity seem like a good idea?
Thanks to Jalopnik, I can now find solace in the fact that Maryland drivers really do have no concept of Left Lane vs. Right Lane:
click for larger image
As you can see, they’d have no reason at all for learning this useful Pennsylvanian tradition of getting the fuck out of the way because there is NO DAMNED LAW HERE MAKING IT NECESSARY TO DO SO. The next time I’m left scratching my head as to why someone would think the left lane is a great place to go 20 mph under the speed of the traffic around them, this fact will offer small comfort.
Right before the scream starts, that is.
I love the fact that ridiculous cars like the Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series exist. Would I ever own one? Probably not. Too costly to live with, too huge to park (thus the insane parking aides,) too environmentally irresponsible to drive. However, they really pave the way for tomorrow’s more pedestrian vehicles and allow a car geek (emphasis on geek) to dream of what’s next.
You’ve seen me swoon over the 2011 A8 before, so you know that I love this detailed first-drive review by my favorite Audi news site, Fourtitude. Worth a few minutes, if just for the pictures of quality time spent in Barcelona.
And how are you today? If anything could end an eight year German streak, it could be this lovely little Italian number:
There is still quite a lot of speculation as to whether Alfa-Romeo’s return to the States in 2012 will see the Giulietta‘s arrival. After watching the launch video, I do hope that it is so:
Even if those in the camp of “we wish, but it’s unlikely” are correct, the sure to be arriving older sister, Giulia is an excellent alternative. Especially if the rendered shots are to be judged.
Whether I can work up the nerve to walk into even a former Chrysler dealership is another matter entirely…
Now, if I’ve registered to win a 2011 Audi A1 (which I have) as a US citizen (which I was able to do) and the car doesn’t go on sale here (as we’ve been told it won’t,) will Audi send one from abroad? Who covers that shipping?
Jalopnik (admitted wagon-lover hideout) has written a call to arms for all those in favor of the five-door. As a “Sportback” owner myself, I do view a day when my people can come out from behind such marketing speak to embrace our rightful place at the top of the automotive heap.
We are wagons. We are the future.
Pop quiz: You are at a three way stop. There are no cars coming from the road on your right and one car waiting at the stop sign in front of you. From the opposite direction, you can see a car stopped at the opposing stop sign and a car behind it. The car in front of you goes. The car opposite it goes. You approach the stop sign. The car opposite you approaches the stop sign, left signal on. You begin to cross the intersection, going straight.
And so does the car signaling left.
What do you do?
Everywhere else in the world, you’d expect the other driver to stop and apologize for their faux-pas with a wave and a sheepish smile. In Chestertown, you get scowled at by a WASP-y old bitch in a black Mercedes who clearly thinks you should have given her the right of way.
This happens at least once a week.
