On the Street......Volkswagen Scirocco, Dublin

Hot damn. I didn't even know this thing existed. Obviously, Europe has some VWs that the states don't have. I was never jealous of models like the Fox, the Polo, or the Tiguan because they're essentially smaller or more economical versions of cars that existed in the US. But this, this Scirocco, is such a departure from anything available on the other side of the Atlantic that I'm a little upset I'm just learning of it now. To be fair though, it was released recently, in the fall of '08*. As such, you can tell that the Scirocco is the first step in VW's new direction of design for its sportier models. This more aggressive aesthetic is most apparent in the grill. VW is moving away from the Audi-style grill that reaches from the hood to the base of the bumper, and opting to make the bulk of the intake wrap around the skirt. Complete with the blade-like "fins" that the fog-lamps are set in, the new grills make these VWs look pretty mean. Let's also not forget how angry those headlight are.

Check out this Road & Track article on the new GTI Mark VI to see what I mean about VW's updated aesthetic (specifically, the grill). The Scirocco and the new GTI should be hitting US streets in October '09.

*At least this iteration, Mark III. Marks I and II were manufactured from '72 to '92.

In the Alley......Mini Cooper, Brussels

Well, at least I think it's a Cooper. It's been modified and restored (the badges are missing), so it's hard to tell. It could be another Sprite, but the silver detailing (like on the bumpers and the grill) makes me think otherwise. The teaming of grey, black, and red is without a doubt my favorite color combination on a car. I think the GTI Mark V in "united gray" is one of the best looking cars on the road thanks to its palette. So when I saw this yet-to-be-identified Mini in an alleyway in Brussels, complete with retrofitted red rollbar, I had to get a picture. I hope the choice of red was intentional on the part of its owner, because I like it. The other, yellow Mini in front of it, which I'm pretty sure is a Sprite, wasn't looking so hot.

On the Street......Morini Corsaro 1200, Brussels

Damn, the Italians make some fine motorcycles. I saw this beauty stopped at a red light, and I only had a few seconds to snap a picture of it. I originally mistook it for a Ducati Monster 1100, thanks to the red frame up front, but after I took a look at the photo, I realized this wasn't the case. I don't know enough about motorcycles to tell you who came up with which design first, but I like the direction these bikes are headed in. They're industrial and minimal, like if a Harley got together with a sportbike and birthed these Italian machines. I will say I like the Monster's muscular design more than Moto Morini's offering.

Edit: On further examination, the Corsaro's old-school mirrors are much nicer than the pseudo-streamlined examples on the Monster.

On the Street......Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II, Croydon UK

1977. Beautiful blue -- it really stands out against the misty grey afternoon in Croydon, outside of London. Plus, RR has the best mascot, the "Spirit of Ecstasy" ... although it's a pretty cheesy name, it makes the car look even more noble.

Off the Street......VW Touareg V10 TDI, The Deltawerken

I've always been in love with the Touareg, especially the new exterior style. But, it's the interior that sets it apart ... it's like being in an airplane cockpit ... driving at night with the bight blue and red, glowing controls is amazing.  

On the Street......Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Brussels

I'm not the biggest fan of the whole Mercedes aesthetic, but I can't lie, the McLaren has a damn sexy look ... even if the front looks a little dated. The Swiss license plate makes this SLR even more attractive. The whole thing screams "speed," but don't get me started about the interior ... it's a disaster. 

On the Street......Mini Sprite, Brighton

I'm guessing the year is around 1993. I think the Mini Sprites are so interesting because they look like they should be much older. At first glance, it doesn't look like it was released in the nineties. I would have guessed late seventies, considering how radically different the "new" Mini was less than ten years later.

On the Street......Jaguar XF, Bruges