The Hammer: Mercedes' Gargantuan Grocery Getter

When you meet another wagon guy there's always an instant connect and mutual admiration. #WagonLove is a real thing, but typically you either get it or you don't. The guy featured in this little vid unequivocally get's it. I personally don't know how anyone can look at a car like this and not see what all us wagon guys see. So sit back, relax, and take in the power that is... The Hammer. Maybe you'll become a wagon guy (or gal) too.

Autodromo: A Study in Intersections

Ever since I stumbled upon the Autodromo brand, I've been fascinated by how they've created such a perfect intersection of auto enthusiasm and horology. This short film by Crown & Caliber really captures the spirit of that intersection and brings it to life.

Juiced GTI

Wow. The folks at Vossen have done it again. This excellent vid not only showcases an absolutely epic hot rod, but also demonstrates the inspirational power of magazines—which I can totally relate to.

This great little site captures all the content to come out of their epic Limerock shoot and more.

Safari 911 Redux

I stumbled onto this video featuring Leh Keen's cherry red Safari 911—not too dissimilar from the LuftAuto Safari 911 I recently posted about. I can't get enough of these crazy rally cars. I want want want want one.



Immediately after finding that vid... I then discovered this one!

Raise the Roof with the BMW 530iX Enduro

I was flipping through my trusty Flipboard today and I stumbled onto what is easily the coolest BMW I have ever seen. The 1993 E34 BMW 530ix Endure prototype is the perfect combination of Bavarian Burner and Weekend Warrior. This is the automotive equivalent of a retro rolltop backpack.

The Seeker: A Safari 911

I can't get enough of this car, this song, this dude's other car, his house, I could go on. Gimme more please!

Vossen's Flawless 3er Wagon

I'm not exaggerating in anyway shape or form when I say that if I had all the money in the world... this is the car I'd drive. Zero hesitation. 



If you dig this video, check out Vossen ambassador Joey Brezinski and his stunning Audi A7.

Esprited Away

Loving yet another beautiful video from the fellows at Petrolicious. This time I'm digging the stunning interplay between this 4-wheeled machine and its 2-wheeler soul mate. More pics and concepts here and here.

The Ideal $300 a Month Car

A good buddy of mine (who's also one of the only people who actually read this blog) just got a $300 per month car allowance. He's asked me what new (or relatively new) car would I go for with a payment in that vicinity. So here's my quick hit list of cars that strike the balance between sport, style, usefulness, economics, and fun:

5. Volkswagen GTI

So yeah, despite VW's current turmoil, I'm still a massive fan of this car. It's a fast, fun, near-perfect vehicle and is more or less the first option that comes to mind. No surprises here.

4. MINI Cooper S 4 Door
I've recently been spotting some new 4 door MINI's and I kinda dig 'em. Now I'm not talkin' about the Countryman or the new Clubman. I mean the Cooper S 4 door. At first I hated the idea of this, but seeing them on the road, with a pair of bikes strapped to the top, I kinda love this wagon-esque super Cooper.

3. Fiat 500 Abarth
The Abarth (pronounced either ah-BART or AY-bart) is the perfect pocket rocket. It's fun factor is through the roof and would be an absolute blast to own for a bit... mainly because I haven't yet : )

2. Ford Focus ST


I'm really intrigued by this little guy. It's way too fast for it's own good. It's agile AND functional and you can't find a single auto reviewer who will talk crap about it. Not to mention it looks fantastic with a bike rack.

1. Hyundai Elantra GT + BMW G650 GS 
Let's face it, a base model Elantra GT is by no means a bad looking ride and it's beyond affordable too. So much so that you can probably swing a payment on a G650 GS as well and still be close to on budget.

It looks like a fun little combo, if you ask me.

Merc Madness

Growing up, I had a handful of Mercedes Benz Hot Wheels cars—and I always used them as the bad guys. They were either the bank robbers' getaway cars or an evil spy networks' chase cars. However I imagined them they weren't the good guys and I've honestly never been into Mercs—until now. There are currently three beyond bada$$ Benz's right now that I'd be stoked to drive. 

Mercedes-AMG GT S

This maybe the obvious choice for most, but if you know me, it's actually the least obvious choice. I'm usually not big into supercars, but when I saw Randy Probst and the Motor Trend team put this one through the paces, I got excited. 

Mercedes-AMG A 45 

Now this is more like it. A Mercedes Benz hot hatch? Yes. I'll take it! This little beasty can crush anything in its class and do it with style and finesse.

Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Estate

You thought a Mercedes hatchback was a bit of a sleeper? Imagine a full-size family wagon that can not only smoke anything in its class, but pretty much anything on the road. If you told me I could have any car I wanted as long as it was a brand new vehicle—I'd, without hesitation—take this 5.5-Liter Biturbo V8 that makes 585 horsepower in a station wagon! Check this out.

Patina Perfection

You'll never care about a dent or scratch again after watching this rust bucket rally! 

Bespoke BMW

Loving this amazing little BMW 2002 build, especially the idea that a car like this needs to be driven. The wear and tear that happens along the way is all part of the experience.

Mad Max: Center Framed

Well, apparently Wes Anderson and Stanley Kubrick aren't the only directors obsessed with centering their cinematic compositions. I love how George Miller's technique allows you to track with the high-paced action in a way that feels right. Compare this scene to the mess of an opening sequence in Age of Ultron, and there's just no doubt what's more enjoyable to watch. 

Netflix Picks of the Month Club

The team at my agency Tribal Worldwide recently started a Netflix Picks of the Month Club. Well, this is my month and just for fun, I thought I'd share my picks.

Better Off Ted, 2009

Okay, Let’s start off with a great little TV series that’s totally binge-able over the course of a single weekend. This show only lasted two seasons, but that’s a good thing… because it’s nearly perfect. If you dig Arrested Development, you’ll absolutely love this quirky satire on climbing the corporate America ladder. 

Shut Up and Play The Hits, 2012

Even if you aren’t a fan of the electronic beats of LCD Soundsystem, this beautifully shot rockumentary chronicling their final concert at Madison Garden is simply infectious. Put it on the big screen, crank the volume, and this one pulls you in like a tractor beam. If you don’t believe me, watch its epic trailer like right now.

Unbreakable, 2000

Since someone already swiped my first pick of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, I’ll just go with straight up Unbreakable… M. Night’s best and ONLY re-watchable movie. This is easily one of the greatest superhero movies ever made and features a pre-Avengers, pre-Capital One Samuel L. Jackson in one of his coolest roles. And after you finish it, check out Patton Oswalt’s in-depth pitch for the sequel.

The Trip, 2010

This dramedy is a very English take on the classic roadtrip-buddy flick genre. Think of it as Tommy Boy with British-trained theatre actors who consume fine foods, traverse the rolling hills of Northern England, and enjoy educated conversation, all the while making you fall on the floor laughing. 

Harold & Maude, 1971

Alright, now for the coup de gras. This is one of those movies that from time to time will make you the smartest person in the room. It’s a beyond quirky cult-classic love story between equally strange peeps who are generations apart from one another in age. See a young Bud Cort (a.k.a. the bond company stooge in The Life Aquatic) drive one of the most iconic cars on film (a Jaguar hearse) to the best soundtrack ever… completely scored by none other than Cat Stevens himself.

Rendezvous Moodboard x2

I thought for my next moodboard it'd be interesting to build a story around a meeting with an indeterminate ending. Would this rendezvous result in someone getting lucky? Or would it wrap with someone getting full-on murdered? Jury's still out. But the real mystery is, which car is the dude driving? A vintage Porsche or this tuned touring? I still can't decide!

400th Post = Porsche Collaborations

Yes, that's right. This is the 400th post on Kyality! It's crazy to see how this blog has evolved over the years (and devolved in some cases). I started off posting some relatively long pieces as a way to keep my writing skills alive and well. Nowadays, I catch myself more often than not simply posting videos and the moodboards I conjure up from time to time. I just want to sincerely say thank you to all those who've even occasionally stopped by for a post or two over the past 9 years.

To celebrate, I'm posting two new Porsche vids I stumbled on back to back, with two doods who on the surface couldn't seem more different. The first is a collaboration between Porsche and classic street style photographer, Scott Schuman a.k.a. The Sartorialist. 



It's a nice branded piece featuring one of my fave fashion bloggers and the all-new 911 Targa 4 GTS. Check it:

Next is, of course, the latest Porsche collaboration with everyone's favorite 911 nut, Magnus Walker. Here he compares one of the very first 911 Turbos and the most recent iteration. And for some awesome reason all the cars featured in these two vids are a beautiful, bloody red. Thanks again to all my readers and enjoy:

I don't know about you, but I'm inspired by each of these guys—both completely driven by their passions.

BMW + Instagram Video

Sure, you can't change the weather. But your BMW knows where it's best. The all-new #BMW #1Series with #ConnectedDrive Services.

So BMW just posted an Instagram video that I think I've now watched like 45 times. What sells me on this is not just the car—which is the stunning Euro-spec forbidden fruit known as the 1er hatch—it's also the vibe and editing. The music's pretty meh, but I'll admit that I'm looking at video on Instagram in a different light thanks to this one. Nicely done BMW.

Vossen Rims: Better than the Big Brands

It's kinda crazy how sometimes the smaller companies that revolve around the bigger brands seem to 'get it' much more than the big boys. High-end rim manufacturer Vossen recently released a nicely produced piece of branded content featuring skater Joey Brezinski and his stunning Audi A7. 



The interesting thing about this is that it's a great piece of promotion for Audi and it's done in a way that genuinely attracts me to the car. I think it works so well because it's not the brand itself, so they don't feel the need to shove the product down my throat.

Big brands should definitely take note. This is the way to produce slick, sticky branded content. Don't make it so much about your product, make it about the lifestyle you facilitate.

Just a Dude on Pinterest

So I've been on Pinterest for a few years now and I coincidentally reached some milestones this week... eight thousand pins and three thousand followers! What the what?!? Thank you for all the support. I'll do my best to keep the good stuff coming. 

Here's a quick rundown of the most repinned, greatest hits that I've discovered and pinned to my boards over the last little bit. It's so interesting to see which pins got some traction out here. Lemme know what you think! 

Avocado Awesomeness Moodboard

Stumbled on the image of the New Balance hiking boot (top left) and it instantly sparked the need to get my avocado on. Hope you like!