by Gabrielle DeSantis

Autonomous vehicles are the latest tech crave. Automakers are in a race to see who can be the first to develop one and get it on the road. But they still need to work out a lot of kinks, as evidenced by some serious and even fatal wrecks. Even so, one company in San Francisco, Waymo, has proven that autonomous vehicles can work and is offering free rides.

Autonomous vehicles are getting plenty of attention

Just a few short years ago, the idea of a vehicle that could drive itself was the stuff of science fiction. It now appears this could be a reality. Automakers are throwing more money toward making such cars, and rumor has it that Apple might be ready to dip into a new industry to get in on the action.

We haven’t reached the point where vehicles can drive themselves. A human driver needs to be behind the wheel to take over in case something goes wrong. They also need to keep their eyes on the road. It’s not like you can read a book or play a game on your phone. 

Even so, the ability to sit back and relax may be very appealing to some. Though there are still lots of people who enjoy driving and being in control of a vehicle, others find it a pleasure to let the car do all the work. And if you live in San Francisco, you might be one of the first to experience this.

Ride with the self-driving car company Waymo

At the moment, Waymo is a small, little-known company. That might be about to change. For one, The Verge reports Waymo is a sibling company of Google. Second, it already has autonomous vehicles on the streets of San Francisco.

As of now, passengers who choose to ride in a Waymo autonomous vehicle must sign a nondisclosure agreement before they go for a spin. There will also be a safety driver behind the wheel who can take over in case something goes wrong.

It’s important to note that Waymo is still in the testing phase. If you’re interested, you can apply through the Waymo One smartphone app. You’ll be treated to a free ride in a Jaguar I-Pace SUV, although you can’t share your experience with anyone outside of Waymo.

With that being said, Waymo has had vehicles driving in Phoenix, Arizona, for over a year, and there are no longer human safety drivers behind the wheel. This is a huge step in the right direction, and there are plenty of other companies desperate to catch up and prove they can outshine Waymo.

What other self-driving cars are making headway?

The competition couldn’t be fiercer to create fully autonomous vehicles, and some big names have created smaller companies to jump on board. General Motors has joined the competition with a company called Cruise. And Ford and Volkswagen have teamed up under Argo AI. 

But the best-known name in this game is Tesla. It’s been focused on designing autonomous vehicles for quite some time and is even hiding some of the vehicle controls in preparation for it.

However, it appears these companies are facing some major competition from a most unusual source. Honda has entered the ring, and it’s making a lot of headway. This shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise, as Honda designs and manufactures everything from motorcycles to jets to the robots that work on the automaker’s assembly lines.

So, who will win this race? Only time will reveal the answer.

RELATED: Elon Musk Says Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Feature Is ‘Actually Not Great’

The post Waymo Begins Offering Autonomous Car Rides in San Francisco appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s endearing, it’s off-road-capable, and we can’t have it in the US. That ‘it’ is the Suzuki Jimny, a small-scale SUV that’s charmed a good portion of the world. Unfortunately, the modern Jimny isn’t sold here, as is the case with Suzuki’s other cars. But classic models are now old enough to import at relatively low prices. And one of these SUVs, a 1994 Suzuki Jimny ‘SJ413’ Sierra, is now available on Cars & Bids.

The Suzuki Jimny SJ413 is an off-road Samurai by another name

For a brief period of time, Suzuki did offer a version of the Jimny in the US. In 1985, the Japanese brand launched its first US-market four-wheeled vehicle, the 1986 Suzuki Samurai, MotorTrend reports. Unfortunately, a Consumer Reports scandal meant Samurai sales plummeted, and the lightweight SUV was discontinued after 1995.

The Samurai, though, was essentially the US version of the second-gen ‘SJ410/SJ413’ Suzuki Jimny. So, while the US market was closed, overseas sales continued. And by the mid-90s, the little SUV gained several notable upgrades.

Introduced in 1985, the ‘SJ413’ Suzuki Jimny was more advanced than the earlier SJ410, Suzuki Club UK says. Instead of a 45-bhp 970cc four-cylinder engine with a four-speed manual, the SJ413 models have a 63-bhp 1342cc engine with a five-speed manual. Suzuki also changed the standard 4WD system’s axle ratios and swapped the front drum brakes with power-assisted discs. And with the Samurai’s launch, the whole Jimny lineup gained wider axles, retuned suspension geometry, and a new dashboard design.

The SJ413 Suzuki Jimny didn’t get the same mid-1988 updates as the US-market Samurai. However, the SUV did get a new standard fuel-injected engine in 1992. The 1298cc four-cylinder engine makes 66 hp and 76 lb-ft of torque, making it slightly more powerful than the 1342cc engine. But, more importantly, it’s more fuel-efficient, especially at higher speeds.

With leaf springs instead of the later coils and solid axles, the SJ413 Suzuki Jimny/Samurai isn’t exactly comfortable or refined, MT says. But just like the modern Jimny can hang with G-Wagons, the vintage version can match pace with contemporary 4Runners and Monteros, Hagerty reports. A 1994 Suzuki Jimny isn’t fast, but it only weighs 2100 lbs. That, combined with its 4WD, compact size, and solid axles, make off-roading a breeze. And its steering is surprisingly accurate. It’s basically “the nonconformist’s Wrangler,” MT muses.

There’s a 1994 Jimny Sierra up for sale on Cars & Bids

RELATED: Americans Still Can’t Have the Suzuki Jimny, But We Can Get the UAZ Patriot 4×4

The Suzuki Jimny currently listed on Cars & Bids is a two-door Sierra model, usually sold in-period with a convertible soft-top. This 1994 example, though, has a factory hardtop. And while a five-speed manual was the standard transmission, this Jimny has the optional three-speed automatic.

Being an SJ413 Suzuki Jimny, this 1994 SUV has the upgraded dash, as well as manual-locking front hubs and manual door locks and windows. Speaking of windows, this SUV has pop-out quarter windows. Also, a folding rear seat, two-speed transfer case, altimeter, inclinometer, and A/C.

In addition, this Jimny has a number of modifications. It has a suspension lift and rides on 16” wheels wrapped in recently-replaced tires. It also has running boards, a bull bar with fog lights, and tinted windows. And inside, it has leather seat covers, a Nardo wood-trimmed steering wheel, and an aftermarket Kenwood head unit.

Admittedly, some of this Jimny’s rear-window tint is starting to peel. But apart from a small passenger-seat tear and some scratches, it’s in fairly good condition. Plus, it has less than 57,500 miles on the clock, and the seller just changed the oil and oil filter.

An imported Suzuki Jimny makes for a more affordable Samurai

RELATED: This Suzuki Jimny is Way Better Than Your Mercedes G-Wagen

As of this writing, this 1994 Suzuki Jimny Sierra is listed on Cars & Bids for $5200 with three days left in the auction. That’s on the bottom end of what Samurais usually go for, Hagerty claims.

Speaking of the Samurai, an imported Jimny tends to be cheaper than an unmodified Samurai. Not to mention significantly easier to get your hands on these days. So, if you’re looking for a simple, rugged off-roader, this Suzuki SUV might be a worthy bargain.

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RELATED: Could The Suzuki Jimny Be Reborn As The New Toyota Blizzard?

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