When we’re not scooping out future cars or reporting the news from around the auto industry, we habitually like to snoop around and see what else is going on in the world of four and sometimes, two wheels – guilty as charged…
You can find these stories classified under our Offbeat News section. For one reason or another, some videos from this category grabbed your attention more than others did, so we decided to crunch the numbers and see which ones from 2012 were the most popular with you, our readers.
If you’re wondering why we chose a Top 12 list instead of the usual Top 10, well, we did it as a homage to the last two digits of the year that has either ended for some (i.e. Australia, China) or will soon come to an end.
So, after the jump, behold CarScoop’s Top 12 Offbeat Videos of 2012. Enjoy…
VIDEO
12. French Motor Journalist Takes a Dive
Moto Journal’s Lolo took an unexpected turn down a marina in southwestern France while being filmed testing a Yamaha FJR 130. FYI, he didn’t get wet…
11. Woman’s Kia Sorento Gas Pedal Stuck on the Highway
An Iowa woman had the misfortune of experiencing a stuck gas pedal on the highway while driving her Kia Sorento at speeds of up 120mph (193 km/h).
10. Bolivia’s Death Road Justifies its Nickname
The Camino de las Yungas in Bolivia is one of the world’s most dangerous roads – if one can call it that, and it claimed another victim when a bus plunged down a cliff. [Some viewers may find this clip disturbing]
9. Woman Drives a Porsche 911 Turbo Into a Store
This is what happens when you confuse the gas pedal with the brake pedal of a quick sports car like the Porsche 911 Turbo. This accident occurred in Turkey.
8. Land Rover Jumps Into the Air and Flips Into a Somersault
Ah, our first video from Russia. We’re still not sure what happened, but this scary mishap seems to have been caused by a loose sewage cover.
7. One Reason Why Russians Love Dash Cams
True, there are many reasons why dashboard cameras are quickly becoming more popular than Vodka shots in Russia (and its neighboring countries), but proving your innocence ranks high in the list.
6. Yana is the Car Salesperson we Always Dreamt Of
Unfortunately, this beautiful young Russian model is not a real car assistant, which could explain why her Seat clip garnered more than 1 million views on YouTube in just two months. [Yes, it’s NSFW]
5. One Very Angry Brazilian Woman Lashes Out on Biker
They say, Brazilian woman are known for their beauty as well as their fiery temperaments. We’ll let you decide which holds true for this femme fatale.
4. New Toyota Auris Ft. Transgender Model
Toyota’s move to use a transgender model in a Japanese commercial for the new Auris was condemned by some, praised by others. [NSFW]
3. BMW M Club Drivers Crash Into Each Other
Here’s another famous clip from Russia. While travelling on the streets of Moscow, a group of BMW M Club drivers had an unexpected meeting with each other.
2. Fatal Accident with Ferrari 599 GTO
An accident involving a Ferrari 599 GTO driven by a Chinese expatriate, a taxi and a motorcycle, led to the death of three people and sparked a huge outrage in Singapore. [Some may find this clip disturbing]
1. 1,250-horses Versus Silicone Prostheses
Who would have thought that an extremely fast Italian supercar and a busty blonde model would make hordes of male gearheads watch this video?