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Jalopnik and Consumer Reports see who can pull off the best snow drift

The weather throughout much of the United States is pretty awful at the moment with some combination of extremely low temperatures, inches of snow and maybe some ice underneath it all. The folks at Jalopnik and Consumer Reports are making the absolute best out of a difficult situation by heading to CR's snow-covered test track and attempting to make the longest drift in a quartet of very different performance vehicles. Jalopnik brought along a Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S Wagon, a Subaru WRX STI, a BMW 228i and a 1973 Volkswagen Baja Bug (heck yeah!) for the challenge. Also, the track was perfect for this group, with a mix of packed snow in places and still a few inches of unsullied powder in spots too. Ostensibly the goal was to get the tail to step out through a particular corner, but in reality this was more about having hilarious fun in the snow with fast cars. The result just looks like the best time humanly possible in this weather.

Six 'shut up and take my money' cars

Any time you see this iconic moment in pop culture - Shut up and take my money! - posted in response to a new car reveal, rumor for an upcoming model or even lip-service to a vehicle that should exist, you can bet there's some intrinsic good in the idea. Though depending on the person offering up the cash, that good could take the form of extraordinary form, functionality, weight savings, power, handling, etc. You get the idea.
In fact, when I first proposed this list, I reached out to the Autoblog staff to help me brainstorm. Here are some of the ideas they offered up that I ultimately didn't use: Jaguar XE Coupe, Pagani Huayra Roadster, Mercedes-Benz S-Class "parade car" (cabriolet), Morgan 3-Wheeler with Ducati V-twin, Ford Transit Connectamino (pickup), Mercedes CLA63 AMG, Ford Fusion 5.0, BMW i8 Spyder, Lexus RC-F Shooting Brake, Volvo XC90 Polestar. Oh, and things we collectively wanted to stick Dodge's Hellcat in were almost as numerous as models that Fiat Chrysler Automotive currently makes (though none quite so compelling as the Grand Cherokee you see above.)
Ultimately though, while I used a couple of ideas from my colleagues, the list of cars I'd shell out for unquestionably is very personal. Though it isn't complete, what follows is a selection of cars whose very existence would prompt me - or the trust-fund-baby versions of me - to utter without hesitation: "Shut up and take my money."

2017 BMW 3 Series GT update includes two new engines

BMW has treated the hatchback 3 Series Gran Turismo (not to be confused with the hatchback 4 Series Gran Coupe) to some updates for the 2017 model year. The biggest change is the introduction of the company's latest four- and six-cylinder engines, but along with them come some updates to appearance and equipment. Of the 18 powertrains BMW will offer globally in the 2017 3 Series GT, the United States will once again receive only two. Both of the new 3 GT engines come from BMW's latest modular engine architecture, which spits out three-, four-, and six-cylinders. Replacing the previous 328i Gran Turismo is a new 330i, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four good for 252 horsepower (instead of 240) and 258 pound-feet of torque (up modestly from 255). The outgoing 335i is replaced by the new 340i, with a 3.0-liter turbo six rated at 326 hp and 332 lb-ft, up from an even 300 hp and 300 lb-ft for the outgoing 3.0-liter six. Both models come standard with xDrive all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic as before. The 340i and its new engine have already made it to the refreshed 3 sedan launched last year, while the 330i and its four-cylinder are not yet part of the sedan or wagon lineup (or the 4 Series, for that matter). We expect the engine and name change to migrate to them in the next year or so. In addition to the engine updates, the 2017 3 GT also receives visual tweaks like those on the 2016 sedan, including new LED headlights, taillights, daytime running lights, and fog lights. Matte chrome exterior trim now comes standard, and there's a new rear bumper design. The interior gets chrome accents and a few other changes that we found helped make the sedan feel a bit more rich, fixing the downmarket feel of the early 3s of this generation. The latest iDrive infotainment, version 5.0, is also included with the navigation option. Buyers will again be able to select from a variety of option bundles including Luxury, M Sport, Lighting, and Cold Weather packages. The car's structure remains unchanged, which means the same hatchback body and longer wheelbase that bridge the gap between the sedan and wagon. It's a style-practicality compromise that continues to be polarizing, but at least the 3 gives you options. Related Video: The new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo. BMW is preparing to launch the latest BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo in time for the start of summer.