Al Capone was many things: A criminal, a bootlegger, a tax dodger, and a notable philanthropist. But most of all he was a celebrity. His exploits sold newspapers by the truckload and his appearances in newsreels entertained millions in the era before television. That his armored 1928 Cadillac sold for $621,500 just six years ago is a testament to the mafioso’s legend. Funk Flex
(Video) Auto Talk: BMW adds iDrive Touch and 3D maps to latest generation infotainment system
BMW claims to have been the first carmaker to offer an in-dash navigation system all the way back in 1994 on its 7 Series. It was also arguably the first automaker to experience the backlash that comes with poor user interface design when it introduced the iDrive system in 2001. Nav systems today have trickled down to cars costing a fraction of the 7 Series these days, and iDrive has matured to become a competitive infotainment platform among the luxury set. This week, BMW is unveiling the latest generation of its infotainment platform that includes so much more than just navigation and a clever master knob to control to it all. Funk Flex
(Video) Auto Talk: Watch the most epic Toyota GT 86 review to date
By now, you’ve likely absorbed every last ounce of ink, both physical and virtual, spilled on the Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S and Toyota GT 86 triplets. You’ve watched the videos, poured over the press releases and configured your own. And while your waking moments may be filled with imaging what it would be like to cane the 2.0-liter terror across Europe, odds are you haven’t actually done the deed. Nino Karotta has, and he’s been kind enough to document the excursion for the rest of us. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Opel Adam hatch caught sans camo
These are remarkably better – yet still low res – shots of Opel’s long-gestating competitor to the Volkswagen Up! Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Mini investing $387M in manufacturing, looking for even more capacity
BMW has announced it will invest around $386.9 million in its United Kingdom operations. The cash will be divvied up amongst its Oxford manufacturing facility, Swindon steel body pressing plant and its Birmingham engine facility, all in order to help Mini keep pace with a new global growth strategy. BMW says the investment will allow Mini to maintain larger production volumes while simultaneously rolling out up to 10 new models in the near future. While that figure likely includes models like the Mini Paceman, BMW is keeping details on any other future models to itself for the time being. The investments are planned to be completed by the end of 2015. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: BMW M Performance models bound for U.S.
BMW’s new M Performance models, enthusiast-tuned vehicles slotted below the hardcore M models but above the standard lineup, will start rolling into the States in early 2014. First in line will reportedly be the M235i coupe, set to debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, according to Autoweek. Funk Flex
