Wheelspins: Maybe you knew this, but we didn’t. It turns out that the idea behind the diminutive “Smart car” began with Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch and was originally nicknamed the “Swatchmobile.” The name Smart is an acronym for Swatch Mercedes ART.
It was intended to use innovative features (such as a hybrid engine) and be affordable for young people. The design objective was comparable to the Citroen 2CV of the 1940s.
The 98.4-inch-long vehicle is easy to park and short enough to allow “nose-in” parking, allowing two or three Smarts to park in the space of one normal car.
Swatch CEO Nicolas Hayek sought an established carmaker to produce his Swatch car and found a partner in Volkswagen. The Smart city coupe celebrated its world première in Frankfurt, Germany in 1997 and is now available in 25 countries.
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Another bastion of automotive freedom has been dashed.
The city of Bremen has put a speed limit of 75 miles per hour on a 37-mile stretch of Germany’s famous “unlimited” Autobahn. When Adolf Hitler ordered it built, it was debuted as a no-holds-barred 125-mile-per-hour speedway.
Interestingly, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was so impressed that when he became president, he initiated the interstate freeway system.
BMW has introduced what is described as a groundbreaking idea with the debut of its all-new X6 Sports Activity Coupe. The vehicle redefines the notion of a coupe, with five doors and four sculpted seats, a higher ride and loads of cargo space.
The BMW X6 will be available in two engine variants: the xDrive50i (4.4 V8 engine, 400 hp, 450lb.-ft torque) and the xDrive35i (3.0 inline six-cylinder engine, 300 hp, 300lb.-ft torque), both with Twin Turbo and direct injection.
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Championship Off Road Racing will be in Chula Vista’s “Rock Quarry” three times this year, starting July 26 and 27. Other stops are Sept. 13 and 14 and the season finale, Dec. 6 and 7.
The rapidly emerging series combines the speed and horsepower of four-wheel truck racing.
NBC and Speed TV will broadcast the CORR series, which includes events in Pomona and Las Vegas.
“With the one-of-a-kind experience offered at our CORR events, our new broadcast agreement with NBC and our existing partnership with Speed TV, we are poised to take CORR to the next level in 2008,” said CORR CEO Jim Baldwin. “CORR delivers a level of excitement and over-the-top appeal that I challenge fans to find in any other form of racing.”
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Noteworthy ” In conjunction with the San Diego Automotive Museum, the Ferrari Owners Club will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the Grant Hotel on Nov. 20 … The Greatest Car Show on Turf will be held June 7 in Balboa Park, near the Hall of Champions. Returning to square one, Scion Hako’s coupe concept is really a “box,” strictly vintage. It has a flat roof, resembling a 1920s taxi … According to Car and Driver, Suzuki, noted more for its motorcycle success, intends to chase the Accord market with an all-new sedan, aimed at 2009 production.