http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png http://jalopnik.com/tag/chile http://jalopnik.com/tag/chile

The 2012 Dakar kicked off to a dramatic start Sunday as Argentina's coastal dunes overtaxed several trucks and even a quad, resulting in multiple fires. The rally is now on its third of 14 stages, covering over 3,000 miles off road in Argentina, Chile and this year, for the first time, Peru. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5872745&view=rss&microfeed=true

A woman in the Chilean town of Antofagasta probably won't be quickly reapplying for her driver's license after the road portion of her test went very wrong and applicant, instructor, and vehicle ended up in the Pacific Ocean. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5861599&view=rss&microfeed=true

This is a queue of trucks in the Chungara–Tambo Quemado pass between Chile and Bolivia, crossing which is one of the few ways Bolivians can reach the Pacific Ocean since Bolivia became a landlocked country in 1883, after losing the War of the Pacific. The pass connects Bolivia’s Highway 4 with Chile’s Highway 11. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5822982&view=rss&microfeed=true

Like Los Angeles, Chile's capital is particularly prone to generating dense low-level smog. Santiago smog is not a meteorological abstraction but something you can easily see from a plane window. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5723334&view=rss&microfeed=true

This video hails from Chile and shows, in order, a front-end loader uprighting a rolled a semi, the truck automagically taking off, the cameraman running away like a maniac and the truck crashing down the hill. Bad day. [LiveLeak] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5459638&view=rss&microfeed=true

This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. Pulloa follows up the Punta Arenas Peugeot 404 with this Dearborn classic. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5430495&view=rss&microfeed=true

Installing 66 gargantuan antennae necessary to survey the furthest reaches of the universe from a 16,000-foot high plateau in Chile is no easy job. But this purpose-built truck's been designed to do exactly that. Gallery below. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5369572&view=rss&microfeed=true

Ever heard of the Commer Cob? British truck builder Commer based it on the Hillman Husky, and this solid example is still alive in Chile. Punta Arenas-based Pulloa got some shots for our enjoyment.
More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5123125&view=rss&microfeed=true

We wonder if man's best friend has a bigger heart than we have. While this little guy eventually didn't make it, we salute its wonder-pup-of-a-friend for trying to save him from Chilean motorists. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5106257&view=rss&microfeed=true

This is Down On The Street Bonus Edition, where we check out interesting street-parked cars located in places other than the Island That Rust Forgot. It's French Car Week here at DOTSBE, and we've got another Peugeot 404 for you today. Pulloa spotted this one- and I'm not even going to take a guess on the year of manufacture, especially when dealing with a South American-market vehicle- parked on the street in Punta Arenas, Chile. Jump to see all the photos and read what Pulloa has to say about this French survivor. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=400163&view=rss&microfeed=true

This DOTS Bonus Edition thing has really taken off, with photos coming in faster than I can post them (be patient- my jumble of files rigorously organized system will result in everyone's shots appearing sooner or later). We've seen North American cars and a few in Europe, and now it's South America's turn. Chilean reader Felipe sees this '74 Torino parked in his neighborhood (I forgot to ask which city), and he's gone out and interviewed the owner for us. ¡Gracias, Felipe! Make the jump for the car's story... but before that, let's look at a Malaise Torino that's not quite as nice as this one! More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=390221&view=rss&microfeed=true

After the 2008 Dakar Rally was canceled in January due to security threats, everyone wondered if and when it would return. A few days ago, this years' race was confirmed to run from April 20 to 26 in sections of Central Europe. The 3000-kilometer race will start in Budapest, head east the Romanian city of Sovata, then head back to Hungary and finish in the town of Balatonfured. That is news on its own, but the bigger more interesting news is the 2009 Rally. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=355616&view=rss&microfeed=true

If you were all bummed about Al Qaeda forcing the cancelation of the Dakar Rally, have no fear. Chile is here! The South American country has offered up their exceptionally long country for the marathon race. Chile is pointing out it has the required safety, infrastructure and geography to hold such an event (and earthquakes, which should add yet another fun twist to the event). Argentina and some Central European countries have also indicated they were interested in hosting the 30th anniversary race. Arica to Lebu anyone? Prague to Sofia? [AFP via Google] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=343304&view=rss&microfeed=true

It makes perfect business sense — a power company responds to serious air-pollution problems by allowing customers to finance electric vehicles on their monthly electric bill. It's happening — not in California — but in Chile, where the country's largest utility company, Chilectra signed an agreement with US-based Zap to distribute a full line of the company's electric bicycles, scooters, mopeds and, presumably cars. An initial order includes the Zap Power System electric bicycle kit, the ZAPPY3 and ZAPPY3 PRO personal electric transporter, as well as the new Zapino moped class electric scooter. According to the company, Chileans spend around $30 per month using mass transit. Under the monthly payment plan, the electrical customer can own the vehicle within 36 months. No word yet on whether the plan will cover Zap's planned e-cars like the Obvio 012e (shown) or the Lotus-sourced APX concept. Of course, there's no sign of a delivery date for those, either. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=300476&view=rss&microfeed=true

Dear people with mad Photoshop skillz; women don't care. And unlike you, they hate your mother's basement. Still, mad props to this cat for doing something so unlikely that no one would even suspect it's a prank. He fooled Motor Authority, Motor Pasion and even our usually skeptical selves. Probably Autoblog, too. Well, at least Frank. Kids: beware teh internets. Real pic below the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=218294&view=rss&microfeed=true

If you have to ask how Chile's customs department can afford to trick out a Ferrari Enzo in their institutional colors of flat lime and Virgin Mary white, you've never heard of "foreign direct investment" (or you think "Los Cara de Pelota" is a soccer team). But we kid the Chileans cryptically. Who cares how customs got hold of a rare Enzo, or why they'd desecrate it with a coating so hideous it would make a hardened narco-trafficker beg for salvation. Hmm. Maybe they're on to something. – Mike Spinelli [Update: Commenter "Maximum" PeteJayhawk debunked the photo as a mere Photoshop job. Here's the original.] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=213597&view=rss&microfeed=true