If you’re looking for driving fun and want to trade in your Bridgestone tires, a convertible is one way to fill that desire. But how much more fun could you have if not only were that car a convertible but a water-friendly vehicle? By water-friendly, I mean a vehicle that could ride on water like a boat or swim underwater like a fish.

The sQuba, Rinspeed’s newest concept cars, has all of these features. First, it is a sleek looking convertible that seats two. Second, when you drive into the water, the vehicle floats. Finally, if you allow a little water to enter the vehicle, it submerses and “swims” through the water. Quite a lot to offer from one little car, and no tuning car needed.

However, there are more cool features to this vehicle. It is a zero-emission vehicle, being powered solely by batteries. Also, when “swimming” underwater, the car stays in its convertible form and the passenger uses underwater breathing apparatus.

To learn more about the sQuba, you can either attend the Geneva Motor Show (from March 6 - 12) or read about it at Rinspeed’s Website.

Do you have a sports coup? Does it have t-tops? Believe it or not, t-tops are more than a stylish addition to your car when you are doing auto tuning. They can also help with safety and structural integrity of your car.

One great story comes from Brian Barnett, President of www.T-TopsOnline.com . “T-Tops not only provide a convertible like feel to the ride, but have saved numerous lives on numerous past occasions in the process”. One such story is of a Florida man that survived a deadly accident thanks to his t-tops. It appears that the driver panicked and hit the gas instead of the brakes. This in turn caused his Camaro to go airborne, fly over the center median only to then get crushed by a semi-truck, but his t-top bar saved his life.

According to T-Tops Online, “a t-top is a removable roof piece engineered to provide a safer, comparable alternative to the convertible roof. The t-tops mount on to a center bar which protects the passengers in the car against a roll over or from getting crushed by other vehicles. The convertible top fails to provide this option. This is why you might see roll bars added to convertible type vehicles. ”

So when you are thinking of wind rushing through your hair as you zip down the highway, remember that those new t-tops that you just installed may save your life.

I thoroughly enjoy driving: the feel of the road on Michelin Tires, the thrill of acceleration, the gentle sway as corners are rounded. Having noted all that, there are things that make driving even more enjoyable for me than driving a Range Rover (like the HAMANN Range Rover Sport Conquerer).

My favorite addition to a vehicle is good music. Until a year ago, my car had a standard radio and cd player. At the whim of the local radio stations, I often switched between stations and cds. However, for Christmas I received a plug and play satellite radio. This gift greatly improved my level of satisfaction while driving.

With satellite radio, I can choose the type of music to which I want to listen. Unlike fm radio where there may be only one station that plays the music of my choice, satellite radio easily has 4 selections within that category. So, if one channel in the top 20 music category is playing a song I don’t like, I have 3 more from which to choose.

Beyond the amount of choice within a category, there also are more categories. Whether you like classical, country, Christian, alternate, or anything in between, it is an option. Plus, if you like talk radio, there are a plethora of choices.

Another benefit to satellite radio is not having to find a new station every time you leave the range of broadcast. Being a frequent traveler on the Atlantic coast, it is nice to know that I never have to change stations due to location.

Whether I am driving 5 minutes to run an errand or am embarking on a daylong trip, I am excited to have this great assortment of music with me, as I am out cruising on my tires and wheels.

As many regular readers of Gas Pedal Addicts know, I am a Mini Cooper S owner who used to have Yokohama Tires on it. I am also a very happy Mini Cooper S owner so when it was time for new car reviews, I had to take a look at their new release. I have driven almost every car you can imagine, and I find the Mini S super fun and unbelievably drivable. As I tell my friends, “Every day feels like I am part of the Italian Job.”

Well, on February 14th, BMW North America (the base of HAMANN Thunder) is rolling out the Clubman for its Mini Cooper division. The Clubman is a cross between an SUV, station wagon, and Mini. It is meant to appeal to families that need a little more space and will allow children to sit fully in the back seat. It also more than doubles the cargo space of the standard Cooper model.

The Clubman is really a new remake and remodeling of the traditional European Mini model known as the Traveller. It has two back doors and a half-door on the driver side that allows for greater access for getting in and out.

The styling of the Clubman is similar to the USA Mini predecessors, and the company is hoping it has the same fun driving experience and cult-like following. Gas Pedal Addicts will keep you posted when we test drive in a couple weeks.