Dashboard Bites
Here are some weird, wild and wonderfully true curious car facts you didn’ t know you needed.
WORDS BY ANBY ALCOMENDAS
Cars Have More Code Than Facebook
Modern cars are packed with technology. The Ford F-150, for example, runs on around 150 million lines of code. That’ s more than many popular websites and apps. From sensors to entertainment systems, nearly every part depends on software. Cars today are basically rolling computers.
Mercedes Holds the Nürburgring Record
In 2020, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series completed a lap at Germany’ s Nürburgring in just 6 minutes and 43.6 seconds. That’ s one of the fastest lap times ever recorded by a factory car. The Nürburgring is known for its sharp turns and elevation changes. Breaking records there is a serious achievement. It shows what top engineering can do.
Tank Turn Is Now Real
Some new electric trucks and SUVs, like the Rivian R1T, can do something straight out of a video game. They can spin in place using a feature called“ tank turn,” by rotating wheels on one side forward and the other side backward. It’ s not just a cool trick, it’ s useful in tight parking spaces or off-road terrain. Imagine turning around without moving forward or backward. It’ s a hint of how EV technology is changing the way we drive.
SSC Tuatara: 282.9 mph Rocket
In 2021, the SSC Tuatara reached a verified top speed of 282.9 mph. That’ s faster than some private planes take off. This record-setting run proved that hypercar speed limits are still being challenged. The Tuatara pairs extreme performance with a sleek design. It’ s the kind of car that looks fast even when it’ s parked.
Do you know any of these interesting trivia? Send us your favourite auto facts and you can be featured in the next edition of Dashboard Bites! Email us at info @ afma. org. au to participate.
50 ISSUE 53 JUNE 2025 / WWW. AFMA. ORG. AU