Subaru opens STI Gallery in Tokyo

You remember turning 20? the end of teenage years, the beginning of adulthood...that's what Subaru Tecnica International - the performance division better known by its initials STI - celebrates this year, and to mark the occasion, Fuji Heavy is inaugurating the STI Gallery, a new museum in Tokyo that highlights the products and activities of its Subaru racing unit.
Located at 3-9-6 Osawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, the STI Gallery will be open every day (barring certain holidays) from 9:30 am to 7 pm, when visitors can stop by and scope out STI in all its glory. The car exhibition zone displays STI vehicles both past and present, race and road. (Colin McRae's WRC New Zealand-winning 1993 Legacy RS is currently on display to celebrate the launch of the new Legacy). There's also an exhibit of various components and memorabilia and a history section outlining the division's past activities. Seems like a worthwhile way to spend an afternoon if you find yourself in Tokyo with some time to burn.
[Source: World Car Fans]

Tata Nano Coming in Around 2 Years, Free With Happy Meal

Here’s the skinny on the tiny: Tata of India has confirmed that they’ll bring over their pint-sized wonder in around 2 years, according to a report by one of their US spokespersons. Of course, this raises a host of questions. For one, what American can actually fit inside one? Can it swim through shallow mud puddles? Will it come with fine Corinthian leather? Details, details.

What we do know is that Tata is promising it will meet all crash and emissions standards for the US, a seemingly tall order for a car built to be as cheap as possible. Plus there are rumors (take with a grain of salt, naturally) of diesel and electric versions making the rounds. In any event, if you want a car so cheap that it makes a Chevy Aveo look like a Bentley, then wait 24 months and save your nickels.

[Source: Autoblog]

Pontiac G8 LIVES! (Cue Mad Scientist Laughter)

OK, OK, so no one’s actually said anything definitive. GM head honcho Fritz Henderson said “not a chance, suckers,” when asked about the likelihood of the G8 surviving the bankruptcy. But now there’s dissention in the ranks, as Tom Stephens (a VP in charge of product development) says it might live … with another GM badge.

If any of you wise-asses shouted out “Holden!” you get brownie points for creativity. But we think Mr. Stephens was referring to an American badge … Chevy? Wait, what do they have left? Maybe a GMC! But before you get your hopes up, Stephens went on to say this about the potential for the G8: “I know there’s still discussions on it. But Chevrolet already has several sedans. How many sedans do you need to cover the waterfront?”

Hmm, jury’s out on this one! Can someone calculate the Vegas odds of this happening?

[Source: Jalopnik]

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium retains edge, adds smoothness

Adequate dynamics, very capable, super handy. That about sums up the last ten years of the Subaru Forester. And yet – once the sportier turbocharged version put rally-bred heat under the skinny pedal, the Forester was no longer just the squishy, squeezy Official Car of Vermont. It was suddenly possible to haul the family Newfoundland to the groomer and scorch the doors off more prestigious iron by flattening that Birkenstock. Eat our dust, punctuated by a “Be Green” sticker. More luxurious appointments were also put on offer, there was once even a Nardi edition. For all that, the Foresters were still little funk machines. For 2009, Subaru’s Forester retains and expands what has historically been great about this Fuji Heavy crossover, but the rough edges have been hammered flat.

A crossover before the term existed, the Forester began life as Subaru’s stab at the still-burgeoning SUV market of the late 1990s. Grabbing the handiest platform, the little truck wound up riding on Impreza hardware. Basing its compact SUV on a car continues to be one of the Forester’s biggest assets. The personality stays driver-friendly, and the lower center of gravity and modest weight make the Forester responsive instead of lumbering.

2009 Lexus IS F pursues perfection, might need more personality

The Lexus IS F is the sole Japanese contender in a crowd of compact high-performance sport sedans. Boasting a full complement of performance upgrades, including a 5.0-liter V8 mated to a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, the 416-horsepower sedan blasts to 60 mph in well under five seconds. But the stats only tell part of the tale. Do the sum of the IS F’s parts make it a contender against the best from Germany and America? Let’s find out.

The first Lexus IS rolled into showrooms about a decade ago. The rear-wheel drive sedan sported a silky 3.0-liter inline-six (2JZ-GE) and went head-to-head against the standard BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. A fine compact sedan under anyone’s scrutiny, the first-generation IS only offered one engine. Lacking a factory-tuned performance variant, it was forced to sit on the sidelines and watch as the competition’s high-performance M3, C43, and S4 frolicked through America’s canyons and race circuits.

Verna Transform is not America’s next top model Hyundai Accent

On Wednesday, we brought you the first pictures of Hyundai’s new Transform, a Korean market derivative of the Verna hatchback that is a close relative of our stateside Accent, the automaker’s lowest-cost offering. For 2010, the KDM Verna Transform model incorporates a unique front fascia and a controversial looking grille among other changes. The big question we had on our mind after seeing it was: Is this model bound for the U.S. – or was it simply another foreign Accent?

Well, we put exactly that question to Hyundai P.R. manager Dan Bedore, and he indicates that the Verna Transform is not representative of what we will see in the U.S. – on the contrary, our Accent successor “…will have a distinct, exciting new look of its own when it is introduced. The Verna Transform pictured here is a sport package for the KDM model Verna only.”

BMW manufacturing plant expansion construction almost completed

Last year, BMW began the expansion of its U.S. plant at Spartanburg, South Carolina. The total project cost was evaluated at $750 million and it would have added 1.5 million square feet to the existing infrastructure.

Nearly a year later, BMW announced that the expansion construction is nearly complete and the project stayed within the budget and time frames. The new plant design is very similar to the large BMW factory in Leipzig, Germany and has added several new technologies.

The Spartanburg plant will manufacture the X5, X6 Sports Activity Coupe and also the new BMW X3 which moved its production to the U.S. The Motorsport version of the X models, X5 M and X6 M, will also be manufactured here.

Next month, BMW promised to release more information regarding the expansion and we will have more information for you.

Press Release

It has been over one year since BMW Manufacturing announced it would invest $750 million in its upstate South Carolina factory to add 1.5 million square feet. Since that time, design, engineering and construction crews have been busy constructing the new 1.2 million square foot assembly facility and have added 80% or 300,000 square feet to the existing paint shop.

This investment is the largest ever announced for the Spartanburg County factory, increasing investments of the BMW Group in its South Carolina operations to nearly $4.6 billion (total investment for BMW through 2008 is $3.9 billion).

The new assembly facility is now fully enclosed and equipment is being installed. Expansion construction to the existing Paint Shop is also complete and new equipment is being tested. A new 1/3 mile conveyor system has been constructed to connect the expanded paint shop to the new assembly hall.

“We are very pleased that construction is nearly complete and that the project is on budget and on time,” said BMW Manufacturing President Josef Kerscher.

The new plant design is very similar to BMW’s Leipzig plant in Germany, the newest plant within the BMW Global Production Network. It has been designed using “fingers”. The fingers are constructed along the sides of the new plant and allow for direct deliveries to the exact point of use on the production line.

A logistics warehouse has also been constructed as part of the new assembly facility. “We are committed to lean manufacturing and adding a logistics component attached to the plant was critical to ensure leaner processes and quicker delivery routes,” said Barbara Bergmeier, Vice President of Assembly.

In the expanded paint shop area, BMW has added several new technologies, many borrowed from other BMW plants, including the Leipzig plant in Germany.

One such technology is a new “RoDip” system. This new conveyor system represents a breakthrough in paint conveyor technology for pre-treat and e-coat processes. Previously, BMW Manufacturing used a “pendulum” system, similar to a ski lift, which carried the car along a rail and lowered it under the water. The new “RoDip” system rotates the entire vehicle 360˚ through each process tank. This reduces the amount of chemicals that are “removed” from tank and reduces chemical and dirt deposits inside the vehicle.

“Many new and innovative technologies have been implemented into the new Paint Shop area. This is exciting for the entire BMW Global Production Network as we are creating synergies and increased efficiency by implementing lessons learned from around the globe,” said Doug Bartow, Vice President for Paint at BMW Manufacturing.

Once the new paint shop and assembly facility are operational, the BMW plant in Spartanburg will manufacture the BMW X3, X5 Sports Activity Vehicle and X6 Sports Activity Coupe and their respective variants for over 120 markets worldwide.

[Source: BMW ]

MT Tech Editor brings out his 1967 Sunbeam Alpine

Frank Markus' 1967 Sunbeam Alpine - As we wandered around this year's Orphan Car Show, we ran into Motor Trend's Michigan-based technical editor Frank Markus. It turn's out Frank was displaying his own summertime toy, a 1967 Sunbeam Alpine roadster. Frank told us that he has owned this particular machine for over 20 years and it runs great. In fact, people familiar with Sunbeams are surprised when they hear it drive by. It turns out that contrary to the spirit of the Orphan Car Show, where the machines are supposed to be largely unmodified, the original Rootes Group four-cylinder has been discarded along the way. Instead, Frank's roadster is powered by a twin-cam Fiat engine that easily revs up to 6,500 rpm. Rather than being an immaculate concours restored machine, this one is a well maintained, mostly original example that shows some signs of its four decades of use but remains relatively corrosion free. Looks like a fun way to spend a sunny Sunday morning.

GM stops trying to sell medium duty truck line, will cease production of Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick

For the past four years, General Motors has been trying to sell its medium duty truck business, which produces the giant Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick. Navistar, Isuzu and other unnamed suitors were all at one point in discussions with GM to make a deal, but none ever happened and today the automaker announced that it would will "wind down" production of the Kodiak and Topkick and cease production altogether on July 31st.
In addition to the consumer-oriented models from Chevy and GMC, the medium duty truck operations also produced the commercial grade C4500, C5500 and C6500 models. Halfway between a full-ton pickup and an actual semi, these mammoth haulers were best suited for just that: towing. Chances are if you ever saw one on the road, there was a trailer behind it.
The Topkick also earned acclaim for its acting prowess in the Transformers film franchise playing the Autobots' weapons specialist, Ironhide. Unfortunately, success on celluloid didn't transfer to sales on the street, and it looks like Ironhide may be taking his last curtain call in Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen.
[Source: GM]

Fiat finishes dead last in new British J.D. Power survey

What automaker has a lower owner satisfaction score in the UK than Chrysler? The one and only company that makes automobiles less tasty to UK consumers is Fiat. Both brands, which are soon to be joined at the arm rest, scored significantly below both the industry average and survey champ Lexus, which enjoyed its ninth year topping the charts. The rest of the top five are Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Skoda, and Toyota.
What owners in the UK have to say about Chrysler and Fiat doesn't necessarily go for the rest of the world; after all, they prefer Rugby and Cricket to our Football and Baseball. It just may be, however, that like those seemingly separate but similar sporting endeavors, the overseas opinion of Chrysler and Fiat as bottom feeders may not be entirely far off from what North American consumers think.
[Source: JD Power | Photo Illustration by Sean Gallup/Getty]

Is Bentley testing a hybrid Continental GT?

Bentley CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen has repeatedly said in the past that the British luxury marque will introduce lower-CO2-emitting powertrains over the next several years, starting with the flex-fuel W12 in the Continental Supersports that arrives this fall. As part of the Volkswagen Group, Bentley is likely to follow some of the same paths as the rest of the group, including diesel. Hybrids are likely to be part of the picture as well, however.
Some new spy photos have turned up of a Continental GT running somewhere in southern Europe, and they might indicate that Bentley is already working on a hybrid Continental. Lots of unusual gear is visible through the back window, and the photographer claims the car was running very quietly, possibly suggesting a hybrid running in EV mode.
If the Bentley is a hybrid, it's probably using the same system developed by VW, Audi and Porsche that will be appearing in the Touareg, Q5, Cayenne and Panamera in the next couple of years. Thanks to Andrus for the tip!
[Source: FastestCar.com]

A dozen new teams lodge bids to enter F1

Whatever the outcome of the standoff between the Formula One Teams Association and the FIA, it was clear from the get-go that F1 was to change dramatically. As it turned out, the two parties - the first representing the teams currently participating in the sport and the second its governing body - have apparently reconciled their differences.
But as it turns out, even if all of the existing teams walked, the FIA would still have had a field of eager teams ready to take their place - that's one heck of a bargaining chip. One way or another, all indications are that the cost of running an F1 team will be drastically reduced in the near future, starting with next season. Lower costs mean easier access, and teams have been lining up by the dozen to take part in the new, more accessibly Formula One. Follow the jump to read all about 'em.

GM Announces Deal With Penske to Save Saturn

Days after GM officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the automaker has announced an deal with Penske Automotive Group, which will officially acquire the Saturn brand.

Under the proposed deal, Penske would officially own the Saturn brand and GM would continue production of the Saturn Vue, Aura and Outlook on a contract basis. The Saturn Astra and Sky are apparently not part of the deal, which means they will be dead. The deal will save 350 dealerships and approximately 13,000 jobs.

The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year.

BMW Research Project Stopping vehicles during a medical emergency

For years, auto safety agencies have reported an increased in the accident rate due to situations where the driver loses control of their car because of health-related problems.

This has become a concern for everyone across all groupe ages and in the past, it was reported that carmakers were working on a system that could overcome these situations.

BMW became involved in a project titled “SmartSenior” initiated by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Germany. Part of this project, BMW is working on a new safety system called Emergency Stop Assistant which can safely bring the car to a full stop.

The system is the prototype phase and it is currently targeting only highways and roads resembling highways, the idea is to keep the possible driving situations to a minimum.

Emergency Stop Assistant system senses medical dangers for the driver and it then switches over to an autonomous driving mode which safely stops the vehicle.

Features as hazard lights and automated call placement to emergency response personnel are considered. You can learn more about this system in the press release below.

Stopping safely in an emergency.

Munich. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Germany recently launched a research project titled “SmartSenior – intelligent services for senior citizens” which aims to make life in old age easier and safer. Among the areas the initiative focuses on are intelligent, location-independent emergency recognition and assistance systems which allow senior citizens to feel safe and secure on the road. BMW Group Research and Technology is involved in the SmartSenior initiative through the development of an Emergency Stop Assistant, which enhances road safety in the event of a medical emergency.

Safety in an emergency.

Older people with intermittent cardiovascular problems frequently no longer trust their abilities at the wheel. This doubt stems from the fear of suffering heart or circulation-related problems while driving which might cause them to lose control of their vehicle and trigger a serious accident. It leads to a loss of personal mobility and, by consequence, a considerable drop in independence and quality of life – especially for those living in rural areas. These issues also affect people suffering certain health-related limitations such as diabetes. As Ralf Decke, project manager for SmartSenior at BMW Group Research and Technology, explains: “Our primary aim is to avoid accidents caused by a health-related loss of control – or at least to reduce the severity of such accidents.”

To this end, the engineers have set out to develop an assistance system which automatically activates an autonomous driving mode when it detects that the driver has a serious medical problem, and carries out a controlled emergency stop. In simple terms, the car switches on the hazard warning lights and manoeuvres carefully – taking into account the traffic around it – to the outer edge of the road, before drawing to a standstill. At the same time, an emergency call is sent out containing the data required to initiate the necessary medical and traffic-related assistance measures. This enables the provision of effective emergency care tailored to the situation at hand. “In order to keep a limit on the variety of possible driving situations, which vary infinitely in complexity, we are developing the prototype of our Emergency Stop Assistant initially for use on motorways and sections of roads resembling motorways,” explains Decke.

System based on existing driver assistance systems and Extended Emergency Call from BMW ConnectedDrive.

The emergency stop assistance system is based both on sensors designed to monitor vital data and on existing BMW ConnectedDrive assistance systems. The BMW Group has, for example, offered an emergency call function for ten years now. In addition to precise position location and information on the vehicle, since spring 2007 the emergency call has also included information on the accident the vehicle has been involved in. The rescue services are therefore not only able to pinpoint where the vehicle is located and to identify it by model and colour, they also have information on the number of occupants in the vehicle and the severity of any injuries. An intelligent algorithm calculates this information from data supplied by the sensors of passive safety systems (airbags, seatbelts etc.). In the future it will also be possible to pass on vital physiological data to the emergency services via this network of technology. The SmartSenior project also focuses on establishing valid vital data – here, other project partners such as Siemens and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin take the lead role, ensuring that the required help is quickly at hand.

Assistance systems such as the Lane Departure Warning system and Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function provide a further technological basis for the development of the emergency stop system.

Content of the Emergency Stop Assistant project.

In addition to the clarification of the legal framework, another early stage of the process involves the key development of new algorithms to register and interpret the environment around the vehicle. Here, particular focus is centred on achieving reliable localisation of the vehicle within its lane through the fusion of redundant sensors, the recognition of objects in the area surrounding the vehicle and the development of an electronic coordinator, which in an emergency takes all strategic driving decisions – instead of the driver – and passes them on to the relevant interfaces governing the longitudinal and lateral position of the vehicle.

BMW Group Research and Technology
BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and has been responsible for research at the BMW Group since 2003. VehicleTechnology, CleanEnergy (hydrogen technology), EfficientDynamics (intelligent energy management/alternative drive systems), ConnectedDrive (driver assistance/active safety) and ITDrive (IT and communications technology) activities all come under its umbrella. Its legal independence as a GmbH (limited company) ensures creative freedom and unbeatable flexibility. The Managing Director of BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH is Prof. Raymond Freymann. Worldwide access to trends and technologies is provided by an established international network with bases in the USA (Palo Alto, CA and Clemson, SC) and Japan (Tokyo), plus Liaison Offices in France with Eurécom (Sophia Antipolis) and in Germany in the shape of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI GmbH) in Saarbrücken.

The SmartSenior project.
“SmartSenior – intelligent services for senior citizens” is a development project bringing together a total of 29 renowned partners from the fields of research and industry. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is supporting this alliance to the tune of EUR 25 million as part of its high-tech strategy for Germany.

Coda Automotive’s New Electric Sedan Comes With a Fortune Cookie

Malcom Bricklin, your ride is here.

… and the fortune reads, “You will soon embark on a foolish misadventure.” Could that misadventure involve selling a Hafei Saibao 3 with electric bits inside for $45,000 to Californians? Click the jump to read more about this strange trans-Pacific mess.

A Hafei Sei Bo 3. Separated at birth?

Kevin Czinger, president and CEO of Coda (and the related Miles EV) claims the Coda sedan is a mainstream vehicle with real-world capability, and ready for American consumers. With a claimed (let me emphasize: claimed) range of 90 - 120 miles, and a 6 hour recharge time (on 220 volt), it sounds good. Here’s some fine print, that you won’t find in the mainstream coverage of this car: it’s a car made in China, converted to electric drive by a Chinese company. Despite the company’s claims that it’s been re-engineered to be “five-star” crash compliant, we’ll believe it when we see it. The Chinese have come a long way in a very short time, but they’re not producing mainstream-quality vehicles yet. The smart money (all $45,000 of it) is on the Hafei Seibo EV … er, should we say, Coda, not measuring up to the hype. Still, we could be pleasantly surprised. Autopia drove the car and seemed to like it, so maybe there’s some hope yet.

[Source: Autopia]

The car sports a 33.8 kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery that Coda says provides a “real world” range of 90 to 120 miles. Plug it into a 220 volt, 30-amp socket like the one that powers your dryer and it will recharge in six hours. You can plug it into a standard 110 volt socket, but you’re looking at 24 to 30 hours before you’re good to go.

Mitsubishi shows production electric car, announces pricing

Mitsubishi is ready to put its i-Miev on the road, but this woman will have a 30-minute wait to charge up her car.

(Credit: Mitsubishi)

Not to be outdone by Subaru's earlier announcement of the Stella electric car, Mitsubishi gave full details on the production i-Miev electric car, including sales volume plans and pricing.

Mitsubishi has been aggressive in pushing its electric car plans by putting its i-Miev into test fleet operations and showing it off at auto shows. The company even let journalists drive one at the Detroit auto show.

The i-Miev fits four passengers for zero-emission driving.

(Credit: Mitsubishi)

Mitsubishi announced that it would begin selling the i-Miev electric car in late July, matching the timing of Subaru's Stella electric car sales. But the i-Miev will initially only be available to corporations and government groups. Sales to private buyers will not commence until April 2010.

Unlike Subaru, which will only sell 170 Stella electric cars, Mitsubishi is planning on producing 1,400 i-Mievs for corporate and government lessees. The i-Mievs will go for 4,380,000 yen, or about $45,300 at current exchange rates. Japanese buyers of the i-Miev would qualify for a $14,300 subsidy for electric vehicles from the Japanese government.

The i-Miev uses a lithium ion battery pack and a 47-kilowatt electric motor to get a range of 100 miles. ...

Sebastian Vettel drives his Toro Rosso on public streets to pick up award

It's not every day that we get to see an F1 car out on city streets, but then again, we don't live in Italy. That's the racing-crazed country that recently allowed Sebastian Vettel to drive a grand prix racer across 12 kilometers of public roads to receive the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy.
The award is presented annually in the Italian village of Brisighella, where Lorenzo Bandini lived until his tragic death at the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix. Every year since, the Bandini family presents the trophy to a F1 driver, and it's become a bit of a tradition that the recipient drive his F1 car to pick it up in person. So with police escorts (note the Polizia-spec Lamborghini Gallardo in the background of the pictures in the gallery below), Vettel drove the dozen clicks from the home base of the Scuderia Toro Rosso - with whom he won the Italian Grand Prix last season - in an STR F1 car to Brisighella, where he joined the ranks of such recent recipients as Felipe Massa, Mark Webber, Kimi Raikkonen, Jacques Villeneuve and Robert Kubica in accepting the citation.

GM reportedly agrees to sell Saturn to Penske

According to The New York Times, General Motors has come to terms with a consortium led by industry icon Roger Penske to sell its ailing Saturn brand. The agreement, which is expected to be announced later today, will apparently see Penske add Saturn brand and its stand-alone showroom network to his existing portfolio of 310 global dealers.
Penske, as you may recall, already has sole distribution rights to the Smart microcar lineup in the States, and he will apparently continue to sell GM-produced Saturn vehicles initially, after which he is expected to begin importing foreign autos from companies like Renault's Samsung Motors subsidiary in Korea.
[Source: The New York Times | Image: A. Messerschmidt/Getty]

BREAKING: GM reportedly agrees to sell Saturn to Penske originally

2010 Volvo C70 convertible snapped during Barcelona commercial shoot

2010 Volvo C70 Spy Shots

Swedespeed forum member al_bcn has managed to capture a pair of what looks to be Volvo's refreshed-for-2010 C70 convertibles totally undisguised. The topless twosome were caught galavanting around in Barcelona as they were apparently being shot for some sort of commercial.
The folding hardtop four-seater looks as if it benefits from a very similar front-end to the Concept S60 unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this past January. Incorporating a larger set of swept-back headlamps and a deeper, less upright grille, the C70's look is certainly evolutionary, but as it's a handsome enough model, we don't see this denting its appeal. Out back, the changes seem to be even more modest, with new headlamp lenses featuring more prominent backup lamps.
Whether there are substantive changes in the interior or under the C70's skin remains to be seen, but judging by the finished state of these cars, we expect to see them debut on the show circuit soon.

Rolls-Royce Ghost is 100% Roller so far

Rolls-Royce Ghost

What is a brand? Beyond the badge, what separates a Louis Vuitton bag from a purse that might be just as good, but made by someone else? We come to that question on the occasion of the Rolls-Royce Ghost which, in some quarters, is being considered a Rolls only in name. Autoblog got a chance to crawl around the Ghost - not the "baby Rolls," not the "entry-level Rolls" - and see if the car really is what its makers claim it to be: every bit a Rolls-Royce motorcar.

Ettore's Bugatti: Founder's Own Type 57C up for auction at Pebble Beach

The concept of an "ordinary Bugatti" doesn't exist, all the more so when you're talking about the ultra-desirable Type 57. But even by Bugatti standards, this example is... well, exemplary. What you're looking at here is Ettore Bugatti's own Bugatti, a unique example built in 1936 for the founder's birthday, and managed to stay in pristine condition ever since. While restoration is commonplace for vehicles of this vintage, this example is strictly original. Despite its embattled location in Alsace right on the French-German border, Bugatti managed to keep this Type 57 safe during WWII. Following the war after Ettore died, the company upgraded the car and sold it in the 50's. Since then it has only changed hands a couple of times, and is poised to do so once again at the upcoming Gooding & Company auction at Pebble Beach in August. If the controversial Auto Union D-Type #19 can't do it, then this vehicle surely stands a chance at breaking the auction record set last month by the $12m 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, especially considering that the long-neglected Type 57 Atalante found in a barn recently sold for $4.4m. More information in the press release after the jump, and high-res images in the gallery below.

German tuner tweaks the Mini Cabrio

From the base model all the way up to the JCW, there's no shortage of trim levels available for the Mini and its various body-styles. But if you're looking for something a little different, BMW tuner par excellence AC Schnitzer has released a full tuning package for the latest R57 Mini Cabrio.
The treats start under the hood, where Schnitzer takes the Cooper S and pumps it up from 175 horsepower (good) to 208 horsepower for the domestic market (better) or 226 horsepower for export (booyah!). Not the kind of tuning house to tweak the engine and leave the rest untouched, AC's also offering a limited slip differential, an adjustable suspension setup, a sport exhaust. Naturally, the buyer can trim out their Cooper with manner of visual upgrades, too, from the aero package to the various rolling stock options and all the requisite decals and interior trim touches.

Another Chrome BMW M3 E46

It was just six months ago when we saw a silver-plated BMW M3 which in a way has shocked us. Most of you disagreed with the chrome look and we don’t blame you. But a few days ago, one of our readers sent in some photos of another BMW M3, this time the E46 chassis, sporting a chrome paint.

And…we kinda dig it, especially since the “paint job” seems to be of a higher quality. Also, the gray color looks far better than the gold plated M5 spotted in Moscow recently. According to our friends at Automarket, the owner of this M3 is a huge BMW fan and had no problem spending over $12,000 to “chrome out” his M3.

Beside the paint job, the M3’s owner also spent a few thousand dollars on a custom Hamann exhaust system.

Now beside the paint job, we still love the fact that the E46 M3 looks as fresh and classy, as 7-8 years ago. It’s one of these cars that don’t age fast and that’s something that BMW should be proud of.

[Source: TunningGarage via AutoMotorClub ]

2009 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab V8 4x4

The word “superb” often fits our adjectival needs. Excluding references to the Škoda Superb, a search of this site returns more than 1500 pages that include at least one instance of the word. We use it to characterize handling, ergonomics, and entire vehicles. But when something’s not superb—or particularly awful—what is it? Sometimes we need to describe the middle-of-the-road, neither-here-nor-there vehicles, the simply unremarkable. The Dodge Dakota is one such example, a vehicle which led us to coin a new term:Perb.

Strongest V-8 Among Little Trucks

Dodge redid the Dakota for 2008, adding fresh sheetmetal, a restyled interior, and some extra horses for the optional V-8. We tested a top-of-the-line Laramie Crew Cab with the 4.7-liter V-8 (a 3.7-liter V-6 is standard). That engine sends 302 hp and 329 lb-ft of torque through a five-speed automatic and, in this case, on to an optional part-time four-wheel-drive system. (Dodge offered a full-time system in 2008 but has since discontinued the option in the Dakota.) Those power numbers are at the top of the non-full-size heap, besting the V-8s available in GM’s Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins, the Hummer H3T, and the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Then again, the Dakota V-8’s output falls well shy of that cranked out by Dodge’s own 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, offered in the Ram, which puts down 88 hp and 78 lb-ft more than the 4.7.

Keep Reading: 2009 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab V8 4x4 - Short Take Road Test

U.S. Air Force builds two crazy custom pony cars for recruiting

Mustang X-1 and Challenger Vapor We're all about the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, but they need some help in the form of new recruits, and that's where good old fashioned recruiting comes in. But it's not like the old days where a couple of uniformed officers attend a job fair in your high school gymnasium. These days, the U.S. Air Force is using a pair of radically customized pony cars to get your attention. Mission accomplished.
Built in conjunction with Galpin Auto Sports (who else?), the Mustang X-1 and Challenger Vapor land like a bomb when they hit your retinas. The X1 features a full jet cockpit with a single ejector seat placed centrally. The body has been widened at all four corners - the rear by six inches on both sides - to accommodate the largest tires you can buy today. There's a custom onboard A/C unit behind the single seat that's fed by twin NACA ducts where the rear side windows would go, and shifting the 500-hp, nitro-fed V8 comes courtesy of, what else, an actual flight stick.
The Challenger Vapor, meanwhile, is so stealth it could sneak up on KITT and make him pee his oil pan. It features an infrared thermal imaging camera combined with a true heads-up display that spans the entire windshield, solid carbon fiber disc wheels, the ability to operate with two mufflers for extra stealth and a command center cockpit with three large LCD screens.

Holden working on Cruze hatch... but will it come to North America?

According to Australia's Drive, Holden boss Mark Reuss has confirmed that General Motors' Australian outpost will produce a hatchback version of the Cruze sedan that it shares with Chevrolet.
The liftback will apparently be very much an Aussie product, with research and development being carried out Down Under, and there are plans to assemble the model at Holden's South Australian plant beginning in the fall of 2010. Critically, it's being built with foreign markets in mind, so that could mean that the model might find its way to North American shores, although const constraints would likely make such things difficult on such a low-cost model.
As it has here in the States, GM has halted importation of the European-built Astra into Australia due to cost concerns, and it also stopped selling the Korean-built Viva (a rebadged Daewoo Lacetti) earlier in 2009.
Interestingly, Drive suggests that the Cruze hatch model could be an upmarket stablemate to the sedan model, with different steering and suspension tunings, along with unique styling. While that sounds enticing, a higher-cost hatchback model might not go well with America's historically hatchback-averse marketplace, leading us to doubt that the car will eventually be offered Stateside.
As of yet, there are no official plans to build a version of the hatchback domestically in Chevrolet's Lordstown, Ohio plant where the Cruze sedan will be assembled.
[Source: Drive.com.au]

Miles EV launches Coda Automotive for full speed electric sedan w/Video

Coda Automotive EV sedan

Today, Miles EV announced that the full speed electric car that it has been developing for the last several years will bear the new Coda Automotive brand name. The Coda sedan will be assembled in China by Hafei under the direction of staff from Coda. The new car is based on an existing Hafei chassis that has been heavily re-engineered by Porsche Engineering. The car is powered by a UQM electric motor driving the front wheels with energy storage via a lithium iron phosphate battery pack.
The 34 kWh pack will use cells provided by Chinese battery maker Lishen. The two companies are apparently forming a joint venture for battery manufacturing and hope to eventually produce batteries in the United States. Coda and an unnamed partner have also applied for a DOE loan under the ATVM program to build battery packs in the U.S.
Coda expects real world range to be about 90-120 miles, depending on driving conditions. According to the company, the EV sedan will go on sale in 2010 with factory direct sales at a price of $45,000 before incentives. Following a 200-fleet test in the summer of that year, Coda will be offered to the public starting in the Fall. You can read more about the car itself here.

GM reportedly whittles down to a pair of Saab suitors

When General Motors first put Swedish automaker Saab on the auction block, it was reported that there were nearly 20 interested parties. From there, rumors quickly began circulating that Saab and parent-company General Motors had narrowed down the potential list of bidders first to a half-dozen, and more recently, to just three final suitors. One of those interested parties was reportedly Italian automaker Fiat, but that rumor has since been denied by both Fiat and Saab.
If local Swedish newspapers are to be believed, final negotiations with the remaining two parties are at hand. The two rival bidders are thought to be fellow Swedish automaker Koenigsegg and Renco Group, an investment group based here in the United States. Speaking in an interview with Swedish daily Dagens Industri, Saab chief executive Jan-Ake Jonsson said:

"Now we are negotiating with just two parties. This can go fast now and should absolutely be wrapped up in a maximum of two weeks."

Here's hoping that a suitable buyer emerges from the final two potential suitors in short order - the last thing GM needs at the moment is a protracted sale of its Swedish former subsidiary.
[Source: Reuters]

Hyundai gives KDM facelifted Accent - is the U.S. next?

2010 Hyundai Verna Transform/Accent

Hyundai's released a handful of images of the redesigned Verna Transform, or, as it's known in markets outside of Korea, the Accent. This 2010 model receives a thoroughly redesigned front fascia that's strikingly similar to the recently released Subaru Legacy, with a deep air dam, oversized front grille, foglights, and sculpted bumper that accentuates the pointed and drawn headlamps. The sides appear largely unchanged, and although there's only one image of the redesigned rump, expect the taillights to continue the bulbous theme out back.
Inside, the center stack has been modified with new faux aluminum trim and upgraded materials, while the green illumination of the instrumentation has been ditched in favor of a new blue hue. Motivation comes courtesy of a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine and Hyundai Korea will continue to offer an "Eco" indicator on the dash that encourages a light foot. The redesigned Verna is rumored to hit Korean dealers this month, and it's assumed that the 2010 Accent will show up Stateside later this year.

2011 BMW 1 Series gets closer to production

The BMW 1 Series is due for a thorough overhaul, and judging by these recent spy shots, the entry-level Bimmer is on track to be released late next year. This second generation prototype was caught running between BMW's test centers in Germany wearing the roundel's patented psychedelic camo, and appears to blend some of the new X1's slab sides with the upright grille and fascia that debuted on the redesigned 2009 BMW 7 Series. The 2011 model is expected to be offered in an assortment of body styles, ranging from the coupe and convertible we get here in the States, to a traditional five-door hatch, sedan and possibly a three-door shooting brake.
As for powerplants, it's already been confirmed that BMW is working on a range of four-cylinder engines that may make it to the U.S., and recent rumors suggest a three-cylinder mill packing 1.35-liters of displacement and putting out between 163 and 241 hp is in development for the European market. Naturally, expect both the three- and four-cylinders to have a turbo dangling from the exhaust manifold, and the upcoming SuperSports model - a send-off to the current 1 series due out next year - could be a good indication of what to expect. Informed speculation says the SuperSports will be equipped with a twin-turbocharged 2.0- to 2.2-liter four-cylinder with an output of 300 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. We half-expect the SuperSport to debut at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, with the fully redesigned 1 series bowing at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Jaguar C-Type draws its claws

Jaguar's owner Ratan Tata has made it clear that he wants to expand Jag's sportscar offerings beyond the scope of the current XK, and this is what the British rumormill has cooked. Dubbed the C-Type, the renderings depict a compact two-door roadster to rival the likes of Porsche's Boxster, BMW's Z4, Mercedes' SLK and Nissan's 370Z. With a lightweight aluminum chassis and powertrain options to potentially include a 235hp V6, 380hp V8 and 3.0-liter turbodiesel, the C-Type could offer exciting performance in a compact package, like Aston's Vantage, but at a fraction of the price. Although in the present climate Jaguar would do well to take things one step at a time, the report speculates that the diminutive C-Type could come in addition to a 911-rivaling E-Type successor and an R8-battling supercar. Likely? Not quite. Exciting? Most definitely. Hat tip to Mo for the news!
[Source: Auto Express]

2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4WD - Long-Term Road Test Update

Current Mileage/Months in Fleet: 13,000 mi/5 monthsAverage Fuel Economy/Range: 17 mpg/357 milesService: $144Normal Wear: $0Repair: $0

A Honda Pilot won a six-SUV comparo last November, in part because it possesses the torsional rigidity of an Arctic icebreaker. No surprise that this long-termer was hugely popular during last winter’s numerous blizzards, ably assisted by the locking function of its VTM-4 all-wheel drive, which can send max torque to the rear wheels at speeds up to 18 mph. Speaking of cool, the Pilot’s 50-button center stack allows the cabin temp to be set as low as 58 degrees. Which means the parka you were wearing when you first climbed in doesn’t have to come off 20 minutes into your commute.

So far, nothing has broken, nor have any rattles made themselves known. The needlessly complex center stack has drawn attention, and this SUV’s perceived bigness—not so much a perception, in fact, given its 4538 pounds—translates into a kind of awkwardness in urban environments, a trait we little noticed in previous one- or two-week-long Pilot samples. Sixty mph arrives in 8.1 seconds. Patience is a virtue.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 8-passenger, 5-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED: $39,165 (base price: $39,165)

ENGINE TYPE: SOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

Displacement: 212 cu in, 3471cc
Power (SAE net): 250 bhp @ 5700 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 253 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 109.2 in Length: 190.9 in Width: 78.5 in Height: 72.7 in
Curb weight: 4688 lb

PERFORMANCE: NEW
Zero to 60 mph: 7.9 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 23.4 sec
Zero to 110 mph: 35.8 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 8.2 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 16.3 sec @ 85 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 184 ft
Top speed (governor limited): 112 mph
EPA fuel economy, city/highway driving: 16/22 mpg
C/D observed fuel economy: 17 mpg
Unscheduled oil additions: 0 qt

WARRANTY:
3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper;
5 years/60,000 miles powertrain;
5 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection

Keep Reading: 2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4WD - Long-Term Road Test Update

Peugeot releases new 5008 minivan

The French are known for two things: style and love. Trouble is, the product of the latter tends to cramp the former. So what's an amorous Frenchman to do? If the legion has grown too large for the cabrio, then perhaps you get one of these: the new Peugeot 5008. The French automaker's latest MPV (that's Euro-speak for "minivan") offers a wide variety of configuration options to accommodate loads of cargo or up to seven passengers in a tech- and glass-intensive cabin to make cruising in this Très Grand Véhicule as comfortable as a ride through the Alps in a rail-bound TGV.
Among the gizmos incorporated into the new 5008 are a head-up dashboard display, Snow Motion traction control, a choice of nav systems and, of course, a full multimedia array to keep the kids placated while watching Asterix. There are a couple of gasoline engines available - 1.6-liter turbos with either 120 or 150 horsepower - but most buyers will probably opt for one of the four diesel options, ranging from 109 horses up to 163. When the 5008 makes its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this coming September, we doubt anybody will be falling in love - but the svelt brood buggy could come in handy if you already have.

GM says it has 16 buyers for Saturn

Earlier today GM confirmed that it has a buyer for Hummer. During a conference call with reports, GM CFO Ray Young told reporters that the automaker has 16 buyers interested in purchasing the Saturn brand.

16 is a lot more than the two we’ve been hearing of including the Penske Group and Telesto Ventures, an investment group that includes private equity firm Black Oak Partners LLC.

No word on whether if GM has received offers for it Pontiac Solstice or Saturn Sky business, which it said the automaker would be open to selling in a separate deal.

So far we’ve heard that Mitsubishi wants to supply Saturn dealers with vehicles after the contract with GM expires. Penske is looking to bring in vehicles from Renault Samsung Motors, which is owned 80.1 percent by Renault and 19.9 percent by Samsung.

Hamann kit for the Rolls Royce Phantom

The German tuner Hamann is on a roll and shortly after “pimping out” most of the recent BMW models, the X6, 7 Series or the new Z4, they moved onto the other BMW-owned super luxury brand: Rolls Royce.

Both the Phantom and the Drophead Coupe received the Hamann special treatment which most of the time stands out due to the upgraded wheels.

Same as the 7 Series, the Rolls Royce model get an upgraded wheel size, from 21 inch to a whooping 23 inch. But the most impressive upgrade lies under the hood, where the 6.75-liter V12 engine receive an impressive power boost from 460 horsepower to 535 horsepower.

The peak torque has also increased, from 534 lb-ft(720Nm) to 616 lb-ft(835Nm). Top speed level was raised all the way up to 186 mph(300 km/h).

While no other details were released at this time - we expect a full press release shortly- there is one more item worth mentioning: the Hamann branded steering wheel was specifically designed for the Phantom models.

With a price tag of $400,000, we cannot wonder how much more the Hamann kit will add to this number….

P.S. Just in case you’re wondering: we definitely DO NOT dig these wheels.

[Source: Worldcarfans ]

MotorTrend: 2009 Audi A8 vs 2009 BMW 750Li vs 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550

We’ve been waiting for this comparison for quite some time now. If the new 2009 BMW 7 Series has been compared with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class over and over again, the Audi A8 was missing from this picture despite the fact that it is also a direct competitor to the two other German high-end luxury cars.

But the fellows at MotorTrend took on the task of putting these three ultra-luxurious head-to-head and regardless of the final results, the controversy among the fans will still remain.

Obviously most of us are biased towards one of these brands and it is perfectly acceptable, but still let’s see what you think after we tell you that MotorTrend chose the Mercedes-Benz S550 as being their first choice.

Jason Statham and Pierce Brosnan, playing their silver-screen action selves, battled the baddies in a BMW 7 Series (”The Transporter,” “Tomorrow Never Dies”). For his sequel, Statham switched to an Audi A8L, a car he also drove in “Transporter 3.” As for the third premium German giant, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, versions of the maker’s flagship sedan have appeared in everything from “The Sopranos” to “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Ronin,” “Enemy of the State” — in fact, just about any action flick or TV show involving piles of cash or a “Mr. Big.”

So, yes, you know they’re all good-action pros don’t play around with second-rate tools. But of the current-gen versions, which of the three ranks as our favorite getaway?

It’s a closely matched trio. The Audi A8L 4.2 quattro, the Mercedes-Benz S550, and the brand-new BMW 750Li: Each sports a twin-cam V-8 making between 350 and 400 horsepower. The three are within an inch of each other in overall length (each is a long-wheelbase version; the Benz is sold only in extended form stateside) and range from a low of 4449 pounds (Audi) to a high of 4659 pounds (BMW). Base prices are close enough that cost probably won’t be a major issue for the moneyed shoppers considering these steeds: Audi ($78,725), BMW ($86,025), Mercedes-Benz ($91,225).

Ian Callum talks about the 2010 Jaguar XJ

The top-of-the-line leaping cat was blessed with an aluminum chassis that was well ahead of its time, but the Jaguar XJ's historically derivative design left luxury customers less than impressed - if indeed they recognized it as a new model. Chief Jaguar designer Ian Callum, who hit the ball right out of the park when he designed the award winning XF, now has an opportunity to make things right with the flagship XJ. We've already seen spy photos of the XJ's interior and exterior, and everything so far points to the Jag's flagship model taking plenty of cues from the smaller, less expensive XF; not that that's a bad thing.
The 2010 Jaguar XJ is one of the most eagerly anticipated unveilings this year, but since it won't go public until July 9, you'll have to wait until we can gather some more information. After the jump is a short video of Callum discussing his coup de gras; the new XJ. We only caught two very brief, very muddled shots of the next generation of Jaguar's "Gorgeous" design philosophy, but it's still worth a look.
[Source: Jaguar via YouTube]

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium retains edge, adds smoothness

Adequate dynamics, very capable, super handy. That about sums up the last ten years of the Subaru Forester. And yet - once the sportier turbocharged version put rally-bred heat under the skinny pedal, the Forester was no longer just the squishy, squeezy Official Car of Vermont. It was suddenly possible to haul the family Newfoundland to the groomer and scorch the doors off more prestigious iron by flattening that Birkenstock. Eat our dust, punctuated by a "Be Green" sticker. More luxurious appointments were also put on offer, there was once even a Nardi edition. For all that, the Foresters were still little funk machines. For 2009, Subaru's Forester retains and expands what has historically been great about this Fuji Heavy crossover, but the rough edges have been hammered flat. Click past the jump to see if that's impacted the Subie's appeal.

Bentley Arnage successor to go even further upscale, debut at Pebble Beach in August

The auto show circuit may be on its annual summer break, but that's not going to stop Bentley. A recent report suggests the crew from Crewe is preparing to take the wraps off its next-generation Arnage at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California this coming August. And when it does, it'll be bigger and badder than ever.
There's no word yet regarding rumors that the Arnage's replacement could take on Bugatti's W16 or Audi's V12 TDI engines, but reports indicate that the new Arnage - aside from being, you know, new - will be bigger and further upscale from the current, aging behemoth. Apparently Bentley and their corporate overlords at Volkswagen are growing tired of watching their clientele go to arch-rival/former sister-company Rolls-Royce or (heaven forbid) Maybach, but they're still going to take their time: The next-gen Arnage isn't supposed to begin production until a year after the current model, now in its final iteration (pictured above), ceases production. At Pebble Beach we're tipped to see a pre-production prototype that promises to closely mirror the eventual production model, which is expected to take advantage of Audi's modular platform but incorporate a unique V8 engine (probably based on the current Jurassic-era 6.75-liter "perfectly adequate" V8) mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic and likely able to run on E85 ethanol to give the muscle-tank the air of environmental conscience.
[Source: AutoTelegraaf]

Fiat confirms 500 at Chrysler dealers in about 18 months, other new models to be U.S. specific products

According to Richard Gadeselli, vice president of Fiat communications in Italy, the Fiat 500 will be sold in Chrysler dealerships in the United States in about a year and a half. The small, retro-minded front-wheel drive hatchback will reportedly be the only model in Fiat's current line that will make the jump to America without any major changes. It seems that the other six small or midsize vehicles that Chrysler plans to sell in the near future will be based on the chassis and running gear from the Italian automaker but will not share any sheetmetal with their Fiat siblings. As Gadeselli tells Automotive News:

"There is a misconception out there that Chrysler is going to build the Fiat Bravo, just stick a different badge on it. They will be Chrysler products. They will be specific to Chrysler. The vehicle architectures will be based on our stuff, and there will be some powertrains. The vehicles will be U.S. vehicles, designed for U.S. customers by a U.S. company."

Based on the above, we think it's safe to assume the Fiat 500 will easily beat the rest of the automakers products to America. In any case, we're looking forward to finally seeing the diminutive 500 do battle with the Mini Cooper and Smart Fortwo for the affections of small, sporty car aficionados on American roads about 18 months from now.

Hamann gives the Rolls-Royce Phantom a shot of adrenaline

With seemingly ever luxury automaker under the sun going after BMW's coveted balance between sport and luxury, it's a little ironic that BMW's own uber-luxury marque is the one to focus purely on cushioned comfort. But not everyone wants that out of their Rolls-Royce, or so Hamann is evidently betting. The German tuning firm has tweaked everything from Bimmer crossovers to Ferrari supercars and everything in between, but has now turned its attention to the Rolls-Royce Phantom range.
Few details are available at this point, but from what we can tell, Hamann has treated the Phantom saloon and Drophead Coupe to a set of 23" rims in case the standard 21" wheels weren't big enough, apparently ditching the self-righting emblem hubs in the process. A power boost is also said to be in the mix, bringing the 6.75-liter V12's output up from 460 horsepower to a more stately 535, and torque up from 720 newton-meters (531 lb-ft) to 835 Nm (615 lb-ft). With the electronic limiter removed, the Hamann-tuned Phantoms are said to be good for 300 km/h (187 mph), to be controlled from the plush interior via a specially-crafted sports steering wheel. Click on the thumbnails below to view in our gallery.

GM to announce tentative sale of Hummer tomorrow

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, General Motors plans to announce a tentative sale of the Hummer brand less than a day after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Although GM won't release the name of Hummer's (possible) future owner(s) on Tuesday, the WSJ's sources say that a deal could be struck by the end of the third quarter and the H2 and H3 will continue to be produced at GM's plants in Indiana and Louisiana.
It's been widely accepted that if GM couldn't offload Hummer this month, it would be killed during the bankruptcy proceedings, and the General has been entertaining bids from a interest parties, including a Chinese firm, for somewhere in the sub-$500 million range since late last year. When the announcement is made tomorrow, expect GM to be hyping the sale as part of its turnaround efforts and that the SUV purveyor's new parent will continue to work on expanding the Hummer line, including the production of future alternative-fuel models.
[Source: Wall Street Journal]

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Spied

Last November, we spied a tall, widened Honda Accord mule that used the front end of the U.S. Accord and the body of the European Accord Tourer wagon to cover an all-new, Toyota Venza–fighting crossover. Now, thanks to a snap-happy Tennessee tourist, we bring you the final product. Expected to be called Crosstour, it is seen here covered only by a front-end mask and some bits of tape that actually show more than they cover. (Note to Honda: Don’t take your top-secret development cars to the same places that attract camera-totin’ tourists.)

As seen on this prototype, the CUV’s front end will clearly be similar to that of the four-door Accord, although we can tell there has been some butching-up of the graphic elements beneath the thick tarps. A side swoosh similar to the Accord sedan’s passes through door handles borrowed from that model. Where the Crosstour really goes its own way, however, is aft of the B-pillar, where the window line rises to a point and the rear end slopes down to form a hatchback. The shape of the rear end appears to have necessitated the addition of a second, Insight-esque lower rear window to salvage some outward vision.

Keep Reading: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Spied

Will Volvo's 2012 plug-in hybrid also be a diesel?

This photo, taken at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show, shows Volvo's ReCharge it concept, which is a flex-fuel plug-in hybrid that uses in-wheel motors and is based on the C30 coupe platform.

(Credit: CNET)

The maker of some of the world's safest vehicles will soon be the maker of one of the world's most fuel-efficient vehicles. Volvo announced today plans to produce a plug-in hybrid vehicle that will be available in 2012.

"Most car journeys are short trips, for instance to and from work. We will be able to offer a product that fulfills this transportation need. In order to cover longer distances as well, the car will also be equipped with one of Volvo's fuel-efficient diesel engines," Volvo President and CEO Stephen Odell said in a press statement.

The new development will be a joint venture between Volvo and Swedish energy company Vattenfall. Volvo plans to create a plug-in version of an existing model rather than create a new one, and its charging systems will be developed and supplied by Vattenfall.

Volvo has previously stated its plans for a fleet of 10 plug-in hybrids. The Swedish car company did not name which of its existing cars will be the first to go plug-in, but last year Volvo road-tested the ReCharge Plug-in Hybrid, which is based on the C30 coupe platform and uses a diesel engine to power the lithium ion batteries.

GM Releases List Of Doomed Plants, Confirms Plans For Small Car

Forging full-steam ahead with Operation Grab-Your-Ankles, General Motors released the details of its future plant closures today, including a complete list of all the affected facilities. Of the 47 GM plants currently in operation on U.S. soil, 14 of them will be shuttered by 2012 (13 by 2010), as well as 3 service and parts operation warehouses. Attempting to slather some icing on the shit sandwich, GM also announced that one of the plants scheduled for indefinite idle will be reopened sometime in the future to produce GM’s new small car.

In a statement,  GM Group Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Labor Relations Gary Cowger explained, ”Our manufacturing operations, which already are among the most productive in the industry, will emerge even leaner, stronger and more flexible, as part of the New GM. Flexible manufacturing enables us to quickly respond to consumer preferences and changing market conditions.” Which, for those of you less fluent in flowery corporate prose, roughly translates to: “We’re going to be jumping on the compact car bandwagon, which means all of our cars are still going to suck, they’ll just be smaller. Except for the Camaro, which we’ll probably let run for another 5 years or so before we find a way to screw it up and kill it off, again.”

Hit the jump for a complete list of all the affected facilities.

June 1, 2009 U.S. GM Manufacturing Optimization Plan Actions

Plant	Status / Timing (date listed or sooner depending on market demand)
Assembly
Orion, Mich.	Standby Capacity - September 2009
Pontiac, Mich.	Close - October 2009
Spring Hill, Tenn.	Standby Capacity - November 2009
Wilmington, Del.	Close - July 2009
Stamping
Grand Rapids, Mich.	Close - June 2009 (previously announced)
Indianapolis, Ind.	Close - December 2011
Mansfield, Ohio	Close - June 2010
Pontiac, Mich.	Standby Capacity - December 2010
Powertrain
Livonia Engine, Mich.	Close - June 2010
Flint North Components, Mich.	Close - December 2010
Willow Run Site, Mich.	Close - December 2010
Parma Components, Ohio	Close - December 2010
Fredericksburg Components, Virg.	Close - December 2010
Massena Castings, N.Y.	Closed - May 1, 2009 (previously announced)
Service & Parts Operations (SPO) Warehousing & Parts Distribution Centers
Boston, Mass.	Close – December 31, 2009
Jacksonville, Fla.	Close – December 31, 2009
Columbus, Ohio	Close – December 31, 2009

Source: GM
Image Cred: Getty Images

Volvo Vaporware: Plug-In Hybrids Coming (Maybe) by 2012 (Maybe).

Don't hold your breath.

Volvo has issued a press release laying vague claim to an upcoming series of plug-in diesel hybrids (PHEV “DRIVe” in Volvo’s “Bork Bork” corporate marketing lingo) that will maybe, sort of, probably be coming in 2012 (give or take a decade). We hear lots of elaborate claims by automakers about their upcoming products, and we’re not doubting that Volvo CAN make these hybrid cars … we’ll just believe it when we see it.

Kidding aside, the technology sounds promising. Volvo wants to use high-efficiency diesel engines, possibly running on synthetic diesel fuel (or maybe unicorn milk) combined with plug-in hybrid technology. It doesn’t sound like they’re considering an extended-range electric vehicle like the Chevy Volt, but we strongly suggest that they look into it. Diesel series-hybrids are very efficient. In any event, check out the press release below for more info.

Full press release is as follows:

Press Release: VOLVO CARS TO BE MARKET LEADER IN PLUG-IN HYBRID TECHNOLOGY

Volvo Cars continues to focus heavily on advanced green technology and is now taking yet another major step forward in keeping with the company’s over-riding vision - DRIVe Towards Zero. A unique joint project together with Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall is prompting the production of battery-powered Volvos featuring plug-in hybrid technology as early as 2012.

“There is no doubt that the environmental issue is at the very top of Volvo Cars’ product development agenda right now,” says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of Volvo Cars. “Carbon dioxide emissions from our cars will be drastically reduced by the plan we are now implementing and our aggressive electrification strategy will put us in a leading position when it comes to environmentally optimised passenger transport.”

Plug-in electrical hybrids in production by 2012

There are many benefits to plug-in electrical hybrids: carbon dioxide emissions are far lower and with an electric motor offering higher power, the car’s performance is also far better. Being able to offer a truly attractive car that does not compromise on the other important properties that the customer wants is an absolute precondition for the market to shift towards more environmentally sustainable alternatives that really do make a difference.

“In fact, I would go so far as to say that the plug-in electrical hybrid we will launch in 2012 will be a true dream car. With the innovative solution we will offer, the car owner will be able to drive a thoroughly enjoyable car packed with Volvo’s renowned high safety and genuine driving pleasure”, says Stephen Odell.

Stephen Odell says that Volvo Cars’ industrial cooperation with Vattenfall opens up entirely new potential for developing future green technologies in a far more efficient way. Working in partnership is something that the company regards as essential in order to generate sustainable development.

“DRIVe Towards Zero is our vision and with Vattenfall’s expertise and partnership, we are making giant strides towards our targets. With our updated environmental map for the future, we are reinforcing our leading position in the environmental sphere within the premium segment,” concludes Stephen Odell.

The following section presents Volvo Cars’ environmental alternative and its map for the future.

DRIVe

At present, Volvo Cars has seven car models that can be specified in DRIVe configuration. The DRIVe badge is attached to those cars in the model range that have extremely low carbon dioxide emissions. Among their many features, these cars have been specially designed for low air resistance and their drivelines are optimised for low fuel consumption. The most fuel-efficient variants are the C30, S40 and V50 1.6D DRIVe, with fuel consumption of 3.9 litres/100 km (104 grams CO2/km).

FlexiFuel

Volvo Cars’ FlexiFuel models are powered by E85 (85 percent renewable bioethanol and 15 percent petrol). Bioethanol is an entirely renewable fuel and can be made from a variety of sources such as sugar-cane, wheat and wood by-products. Both Volvo’s smaller models (the C30, S40 and V50) and the larger cars (the V70 and S80) are available in FlexiFuel variants. There is a choice of three engine power outputs: the 1.8F producing 125 hp, the 2.0F which produces 145 hp and the turbocharged version, the 231 hp 2.5FT.

Bi-Fuel: V70 2.5FT in gas configuration

Biogas is one of the vehicle fuels with the lowest climate impact. On Volvo Cars’ home market, where there is a satisfactory infrastructure for gas supply, the best-selling V70 model will be available in a gas-powered version in 2009. An outside conversion specialist contracted by Volvo Cars will fit the gas tank. The car’s range on gas is about 300 km. To back this up there is the 2.5FT 231 hp FlexiFuel engine so the car’s total range on biofuel is more than 900 km.

The car can be run on petrol, bioethanol, natural gas, biogas and hytane*.

* Methane gas with 10 percent hydrogen gas mixed in the fuel.

Start/Stop

The Volvo Cars model range also includes engines that switch themselves off when the car comes to a standstill. These so-called micro-hybrids cut fuel consumption by 4-5 percent. This system is even more effective in congested city traffic with frequent stops and starts. Start/Stop is being initially introduced on the C30, S40 and V50 DRIVe and will undergo constant development, and will over time be implemented in additional drivelines.

In 2011, Volvo Cars expects to introduce yet another highly advanced, entirely in-house developed system with even greater savings potential.

GTDi technology

In 2009, Volvo Cars will launch the development of an entirely new generation of high-efficiency petrol engines. These engines will be far more economical and will cut fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 20-30 percent.

GTDi technology makes it possible to reduce engine size while retaining current performance levels.

Plug-in electrical hybrids

Volvo Cars will put plug-in electrical hybrids on the market as early as 2012. With this technology, there is a battery pack that is used to drive an entirely emission-free electric motor. The battery is recharged via a regular wall socket and in addition, braking energy while on the move is stored and reused. This power system will be supplemented by one of Volvo’s high-efficiency diesel engines. This diesel engine is designed to run on renewable synthetic diesel and will meet forthcoming extremely stringent exhaust regulations.

The car’s range will be class-leading and what is more, tailpipe exhaust emissions will be virtually non-existent while the car is powered by electricity. If the battery pack is recharged with electricity produced from renewable sources, then carbon dioxide emissions from the lifecycle perspective will also be very low. In the NEDC standardised driving cycle, carbon dioxide emissions from Volvo’s plug-in electrical hybrid will be lower than 50 grams/km. The plug-in electrical hybrid will thus qualify into what is known as the super-credit tax incentive band. In several European countries, a variety of incentive programmes such as tax relief will be introduced over the next few years. Cars that emit less than 50 grams of CO2/km will probably be granted the most favourable status.

Battery-powered cars

For short distances in city traffic, dedicated battery-powered cars may well be the next step. Volvo Cars is therefore researching into this area. There are still many challenges that have to be solved with battery cars and the company is working hard to find alternative ways of reducing battery cost, increasing their performance and ensuring that Volvo’s high safety requirements are met at all times. At present, there are no battery-powered cars in Volvo’s product plans, but the possibility of introducing new green technology is under constant review.

[Source: Volvo via Jalopnik]

Guiness Record Driver aims to pilot Audi A3 across three continents in three days

There are road trips and there are road trips. This one is a fine example of the latter. With an endless roster of driving records under his belt, German auto journalist Gerhard Plattner is gearing up to drive on three continents in just three days, in the process setting yet another world record. His weapon of choice? An Audi A3 1.9 TDI, which the German automaker enthusiastically handed over just the other day.
This will hardly be the first time Plattner has set new records in a Four-Ringed car, as he already set the record for driving around the world in an Audi S2 way back in 1991, a record that still stands to this day. Known by some as "the most versatile driver in the world", Plattner has covered some 7 million kilometers (4.3 million miles) in his career, but this could be the most daunting challenge yet. Together with co-pilot Franz Doppler, Plattner will be driving on three continents - Asia, Africa and Europe - in three days.
Rather than taking the shortest route (from Egypt, along the Mediterranean coast through Israel and Syria and up into Turkey), the German duo will start in Morocco, cross the Gibraltar into Spain, across Spain, Italy, through the Alps, across the Balkans and on to Istanbul. The tour kicks off on June 8 and is scheduled to end on June 11, so stay tuned, and check out the images below and details in the press release after the jump in the meantime.