Toyota updates the Verso MPV

Toyota will show the all new Verso at Geneva '09 The Verso is an all new version of the MPV, offering Toyota’s Easy Flat-7 seating configuration, which basically allows owners to lower all the back five seats individually to accommodate whatever configuration they need for load/passenger requirements. The Verso is stretched over the old Verso, with a longer wheelbase and wider track, offering a more spacious interior. There’s a pretty much all-round increase in power of 20%, but Toyota has managed to pull off a 12% reduction in emissions and fuel use.

Terry Karges to replace Buddy Pepp as executive director of the Petersen Museum

Terry Karges will take over as executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, replacing Buddy Pepp, who is retiring after more than two years on the job. Karges brings four decades of automotive, entertainment and motorsports management experience to the Petersen.

Wait, is the WhaleMobile still for sale?

In 2009 -- which is about 40 years ago in Internet time -- the motor-mad, mountain-dwelling master-mechanic known to Autoweek readers as Murilee Martin took to the pages of Jalopnik -- yes, it was printed back then -- to describe an ad he found on Craigslist. Here's the full text of the original ad: WhaleMobile *UNIQUE* This one of a kind "WhaleMobile" is for sale. It needs new tires, but otherwise starts right up and runs fine.