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Exhaust Notes

What Microsoft employees drive to work

The software company's garage is filled with Audi R8s, Nissan GT-Rs and even a Jaguar XK150.

By Exhaust Notes Oct 16, 2012 12:48PM

Our writers test lots of cars for MSN Autos all across the world, but what do Microsoft employees -- the ones who are car enthusiasts, at least -- drive to the office?

 

The Windows Embedded Connected Car Team -- in short, the people who developed Ford's Sync system -- brought more than 100 cars into a lower parking garage on the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Wash. Dubbed the Underground Car Show & Campus Cruise, the event made many of our colleagues extremely envious of one another.

 

Some employees rocked modern supercars such as the Audi R8 5.2, Nissan GT-R and Dodge Viper ACR, while others brought in pristine classics including a 1958 Jaguar XK150 (pictured above) and a ’55 Chevy. Others arrived in a range of hot rods, muscle cars, trucks and motorcycles -- including a sidecar-equipped 2004 BMW R1150GS (shown below). The Connected Car Team may have been a bit pedestiran showing up with a 2013 Ford Escape and electric Focus, but inside was their latest work.

 

2004 BMW R1150GS (c) Mike Meredith for MSN Autos

 

The event raised more than $7,000, with all proceeds going to the United Way of King County, Wash.


And, of course, it also generated some office trophies:

 

  • Best of Show: 1958 Jaguar XK150, owned by Dave Massey.
  • Best Classic Car: 1958 Jaguar XK150, owned by Dave Massey.
  • Best Daily Driver: 2010 Audi R8 5.2, owned by Kevin LaChapelle.
  • Best Luxury Car: 1958 Chrysler New Yorker, owned by Jeff Pratt.
  • Best Motorcycle: 2004 BMW R1150GS with sidecar, owned by Mike Paul.
  • Best Muscle Car: 1965 Factory Five Cobra, owned by Anthony Nadalin.
  • Best Sports Car: 2012 Nissan GT-R, owned by Eric Hyman.

 

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