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We are #UnitedByHorsepower.
@andy_lilienthal & @mercedes_lilienthal
Our rigs: #TravelTractor, #RalliTractor, #TerraTractor
#crankshaftculture

Six months to the day, we, @andy_lilienthal, as th

Six months to the day, we, @andy_lilienthal, as the driver and @mercedes_lilienthal, as the navigator, finished the 2024 Superlative Adventure Club Baltic Sea Circle Rally! Nine countries, 16 days, and nearly 5,000 miles of EV rallying. We created an article on our daily depictions and video content. This story (link in our bio) is Part 1 of our @CrankshaftCulture coverage showcasing our daily experiences. Mercedes documents each day via verbiage as well as reel videos for the rally prep and Days 1-4 of the northernmost rally in the world. Parts 2, 3, and 4 will come later!

What goes together better with travel than coffee?

What goes together better with travel than coffee? Let's take a trip around North America as @mercedes_lilienthal's latest for the @nytimes is live! Sheer grit and determination was a big reason why three independent coffee shops, Buddies (@buddiesbk) in Brooklyn, NY, Out of the Box Coffee House (@outoftheboxcoffee) in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, and Biscuits To Baskets (@biscuitstobaskets) in Toronto, Canada, started from scratch and became successful. The people behind these businesses come from different backgrounds, don't have college degrees or come from money. But they've found unique ways to fund their shops. From recycled skateboards and an old engine cart to t-shirt drives and determining recipes in a former church basement, each owner is creative and relies on their family, friends, and local community for support. Click our link in bio to read this inspirational story. The print version will publish soon.

Photos of Buddies: Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times; Out of the Box Coffee House: Kaleb Autman; Biscuits to Baskets: Chloe Ellingson for The New York Times

2024 was a year to remember. From the @alcan5000 r

2024 was a year to remember. From the @alcan5000 rally with @ineos_grenadier to @superlativeadventureclub's Baltic Sea Circle Rally and beyond, our year was filled with world-wide travel, rallies, and more. We pushed boundaries, faced challenges, and triumphed, too.

From winning the winter @alcan5000 rally 2S seat-of-pants class with @ineos_grenadier (10 days, 5,000 miles) to being the first non-European all-electric team to compete/finish the BSCR with an early-gen German @vw ID. Buzz van (nine countries, 16 days, and 5,000 miles), @andy_lilienthal, and @mercedes_lilienthal grew a lot by failing and learning.

It's about getting out of your comfort zone, not being afraid to make mistakes. We made many this year, but through them, we've adapted, challenged our bodies and brains, and learned. The seemingly impossible could happen if you put your mind to it. Mercedes once said after making a costly 2022 rally mistake, "we're learning by failing." #truth

We were on tour again with @subaru_usa and @subarumotorsportsusa, attending three of their @subiefest shows talking about TSD rallies while hanging out with our 2022 Alcan 5000 Outback Wilderness. We attended many drive programs, too.

We drove to Arizona for Overland Expo West, Mercedes covered the Jeep Jamboree USA in Tillamook, OR, and we flew to her 48th state (South Carolina) for "friendsgiving." Soon, we'll head to Louisiana (her 49th state). Last one for us? Hawaii!!

Looking forward to 2025. Stay tuned to @crankshaftculture for updates. Thanks for your support and encouragement! 📸: @mercedes_lilienthal (helmet shot @biancagermain, pic of Mercedes w/ cameras @andy_lilienthal)

.@Mercedes_Lilienthal's 2024 recap: 29+ trips (24

.@Mercedes_Lilienthal's 2024 recap: 29+ trips (24 being auto programs and events), 11 countries (incl. half of Canada), countless states, and competed with @andy_lilienthal in two major rallies in 11 countries and nearly 10,000 COMPETITIVE MILES (@alcan5000 Rally + Baltic Sea Circle Rally).

We won the winter Alcan 5000 2S seat-of-pants class (the largest w/ 17 rigs) and came in 10th of 36 total teams, partnering w/ @INEOS_Grenadier driving a new Trialmaster 4x4. We also earned Arctic + Go Farther awards, giving INEOS their first-ever rally award.

This year's Alcan 5000 started near Seattle, crossed all of BC to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, to Whitehorse in the Yukon, and deep into AK (down to Valdez and north to Coldfoot), before finishing in Anchorage. We conquered closed roads and blizzards to win the 5,000-mile, 10-day rally.

The 2024 Baltic Sea Circle Rally was our first overseas rally, spanning nine countries, 16 days, and 5,000 miles. We drove a 2024 early-gen German-market @VW ID. Buzz EV van, becoming the first non-European all-electric team to compete/finish the BSCR, and the only 2024 EV team (other rigs were 10+ years old). Drove through Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, crossing over two more Arctic Circles by land (doing four of the world's eight).

She visited NYC to cover @TransglobalCar Expedition's start of circumnavigating the globe (by both poles) via wheeled rigs.

She also flew to Montreal for Mitsubishi, TX to chase the total eclipse w/ the HUMMER 3X EV SUV, the Sonoran Desert w/ Can-Am for International Women's Ride Day, on tour with Subaru of America and Subaru Motorsports, TN to help open Ford's latest Bronco Off-Roadeo and to check out Scout Motors' concepts. TX for the Chevy Suburban/Tahoe, San Francisco, for the 2025 VW ID. Buzz, the SEMA show in Vegas, TX for VW Taos, and flights for family and to her 48th of 50 states (SC) for a "friendsgiving" celebration, etc.

Also, drove to AZ for Overland Expo West, OR for Jeep Jamboree and Buick Enclave, etc.

Infinite miles, 365 days of adventures, autos, rallies, + memories. She'll have more to share via @CrankshaftCulture and her in 2025!

Merry Christmas from us at Crankshaft Culture. No

Merry Christmas from us at Crankshaft Culture. No matter where you are, have a safe, fun, and happy holiday.

FWD coupes were all the rage from the 1980s-2000s,

FWD coupes were all the rage from the 1980s-2000s, then slowly, silently went away by 2020. But does anyone miss them? Link to story in Crankshaft Culture's bio.

In October and November of 2024, Greg Henderson fr

In October and November of 2024, Greg Henderson from @unofficialuseonly and friends rode two Honda Ruckus scooters 2,400 miles from Michigan to Las Vegas for the @semashow and raised money for @semacares along the way. Photo via Greg Henderson. Link to story in bio.

That time we took a @volkswagen ID. Buzz to Estoni

That time we took a @volkswagen ID. Buzz to Estonia on the Baltic Sea Circle Rally. This photo happened to be at the grounds of a former Soviet prison turned swimming and recreation area called RUMMU Quarry. @rummuquarry

When was the last time you saw a Subaru GL hatchba

When was the last time you saw a Subaru GL hatchback?

Tell me you're from the Midwest without telling me

Tell me you're from the Midwest without telling me you're from the Midwest.

Equipped with an eight-speed transmission and 174

Equipped with an eight-speed transmission and 174 HP, the 2025 @vw Taos compact SUV includes several updates and upgrades for around the same cost or slightly lower than the outgoing model. Three trims are available: the base S starting at $24,995 for FWD and $26,695 for AWD), mid-level SE ($27,895 and up for FWD and $29,595 for AWD), and top-of-the-line SEL for $34,695 (S and SE available in AWD and front-wheel-drive iterations while the SEL comes only AWD. Our SEL tester boasted the panoramic sunroof, leather seats (with fronts being heated/ventilated), 10-color ambient lighting, and more. Will it make a great adventuring vehicle? Stay tuned, full impressions, and more details about VW's revised Taos SUV coming soon via @mercedes_lilienthal's @ovrmag article! Video footage of Mercedes driving courtesy of Cherise Threewitt.
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#VWtestdrive #VWTaos #2025VWTaos #Volkswagen #VW #vdublove #crankshaftculture #mercedeslilienthal #writeanddrive #everyvehicleisanadventure #unitedbyhorsepower #autojournalist #autojournolife #autojourno #journalist #freelancer #freelancejournalist #driveprogram #firstdrive #testingcars #contentcreator

We're at the 2025 @vw Taos compact SUV drive event

We're at the 2025 @vw Taos compact SUV drive event! Kicked it off yesterday afternoon, and today is DRIVE DAY. More coverage to come!
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#VWtestdrive #VWTaos #2025VWTaos #Volkswagen #VW #vdublove #crankshaftculture #mercedeslilienthal #writeanddrive #everyvehicleisanadventure #unitedbyhorsepower #autojournalist #autojournolife #autojourno #journalist #freelancer #freelancejournalist #driveprogram #firstdrive #testingcars #contentcreator

Any model car fans? @andy_lilienthal used to be an

Any model car fans? @andy_lilienthal used to be an editor at Scale Auto magazine in the early 2000s. Here are a few of the 1:24 scale models he built.

Samurai or Sidekick?

Samurai or Sidekick?

We went on the Zukiworld Online Fall Classic with

We went on the Zukiworld Online Fall Classic with a host of other rigs. It was a lot of fun and a great reminder to be prepared for any situation. Link to story in the bio.

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY #TerraTractor (yesterday)! From

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY #TerraTractor (yesterday)! From conquering the 2020 @alcan5000 rally and beyond, you've been a steadfast companion. Here's to the next six years and more together!
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#mitsubishi #mitsulife #pajero #JDM #RHD #diesel #turbo #boosted #crankshaftculture #everyvehicleisanadventure #unitedbyhorsepower #adventure4x4 #adventuremobile #4x4 #4wd #turbodiesel #mitsubishipajero #mitsulife #mitsulove #terratractor #happybithday #alcan5000 #alcan5000rally #2020alcan5000 #mypajerobuild #peoeep

The 2024 @zukiworld Fall Classic is a yearly off-r

The 2024 @zukiworld Fall Classic is a yearly off-roading event. This time, it started in Prineville, Oregon, with the majority of our time in the Ochoco Mountains of Oregon. This year encompassed a variety of weather, different and challenging terrain including mud, deep snow, rocky trails, and a bit of black ice. It was one heck of an adventure. Twelve vehicles comprised this year’s group:

• 2 Gen 3 Suzuki Grand Vitaras
• 1 Chevrolet Tracker
• 2 Suzuki Sidekicks
• 1 Suzuki Samurai (diesel)
• 1 Ford Bronco
• 1 Chevrolet Suburban
• 1 Lexus GX
• 1 GMC Sierra
• 1 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 1 Mitsubishi Delica (us)

This trip was about connection, camaraderie, and constant planning under unexpected adverse circumstances. Closed gates and deteriorating trail conditions slowed the group down. We found ourselves near the Wolf Mountain summit. It was surmised collectively that extra fuel was needed for several vehicles to get everyone off the mountain safely back to camp. Only four of the 12 vehicles, including us, @andy_lilienthal and @mercedes_lilienthal in the Delica van, had enough range to get extra fuel a few hours away before trekking it back up to deliver it to the group.

Armed with our @longrangeamerica replacement fuel tank offering double the range, along with our @ruggedradios for critical comms, we left the group at 8:18pm in search of fuel. After multiple winch pulls and other vehicle recovery tactics, we arrived back to the group 12 hours later with appr. 30 gallons of fuel to disperse, and ready to head down the mountain after everyone was set. The core group left with everyone at 8:30am down the mountain.

After about 3.5 hours and multiple vehicle recoveries later, our group returned to base camp as one unit (appr. 11:48am). It’s about community, communication, and how we worked together. It’s the car culture! An amazing group of people. This year’s Fall Classic was one of the record books. Can’t wait for next year!

PART 1: The 2024 @zukiworld Fall Classic featured

PART 1: The 2024 @zukiworld Fall Classic featured 12 vehicles including 2 gen-3 Suzuki Grand Vitaras, 2 Suzuki Sidekicks, 1 Chevy Tracker, and 1 Suzuki Samurai (with an Isuzu turbodiesel swap). Guest rigs included a Ford Bronco, Chevy Suburban, Lexus GX470, GMC Sierra 2500, Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel, and our 1994 Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear.

We explored the areas around Ochoco National Forest, taking in the scenery on muddy, snowy, and rocky trails. We even visited a couple of abandoned mining sites. Here are the first batch of pics.

Andy is a self-professed tire nerd, so when he got

Andy is a self-professed tire nerd, so when he got the opportunity to visit the @discount_tire Treadwell testing facility, he was stoked. Admittedly, he had no idea the level of third-party testing the company did, and found it really interesting to learn about how the retailer tests all the tires they sell. Link to story at @ovrmag in bio.

One of our latest features via @ovrmag just droppe

One of our latest features via @ovrmag just dropped! @mercedes_lilienthal spent the day recently just outside of Knoxville to check out the new @fordbronco Off-Roadeo Tennessee facility and related trail system. This new location sits on over 1,000 acres of lush and hilly, forested land and is an ideal place to learn how to properly offroad your new Bronco.

Each new owner can choose from this site (or anything of the other locations throughout the U.S.) for a day of intensive and educational training covering basics like what your Ford Bronco's features are, off-roading know-how, vehicle dynamics, tread lightly tips, and a basic vehicle recovery session. You'll get the know-how, drive the trails with expert instructors, plus meals are included!

Link in bio to read all about her experience. 📸: @mercedes_lilienthal

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