Updated news and photos of Ferrari California

Ferrari updated its teaser launch of its new California 2+ model today, May 29, with more photographs and a few more details.The latest photographs of the Pininfarina-styled retractable hard-top spider-coupe show it with its top closed in Azzurro California paint. That was the color of the 1960s spider's reveal at the New York autoshow in 1962. And blue was a favorite with owners of that model too.

The California debuts a seven-speed dual clutch, which Ferrari says cuts shifting time to zero. And the new Launch Control feature allows highperformance starts without tire spin.The car is 182.4 inches long, 76 inches wide and has a wheelbase of 108 inches.The designation of 2+ refers to space behind the front seats, which makes the California "supremely flexible in terms of usage," Ferrari says.

The 4.3-liter engine, with direct injection and a new flat crank, has about 452 horsepower at 7,500 rpm. A seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission can move the car from zero to 62 mph in less than 4 seconds, the company claims. The transmission also improves ride comfort, reduces fuel consumption and impr oves emissions. Also helping comfort is a new multilink rear suspension.

The F1-Trac traction control system, also used on the 599 GTB Fiorano, and carbon-ceramic Brembo disc brakes are standard equipment. The "two-plus" configuration is a new idea that Ferrari says will guarantee greater versatility in the rear of the car.

WebridesTV pits the BMW M3 against the Dinan 335i

This is a head-to-head battle we've been waiting to see: BMW's new M3 versus a Dinan-tuned 335i coupe. But we're only going to talk numbers and let the video tell the tale.
The BMW 335i has proven itself as a credible player in the sports coupe segment, particularly with a tweaked ECU to extract maximum output from its twin-turbo'd 3.0-liter inline-six. Dinan announced its Stage 3 package a few months back, which includes a fully-adjustable suspension and a handful of engine mods that bring output up to 406 hp and a kidney-punishing 460 lb.-ft. of torque (at 4,300 RPM). But it doesn't come cheap. All the necessary Dinan kit to get it up to Stage 3 spec (and get that nifty badge on the boot) costs around $14,000. But compared to the $71,000 $56,500 (no mark-up, no oxygen) base price of the new M3, it's still a steal. While the M3 has the peak horsepower advantage, you can't ignore the allure of the Dinan 335i's torque and lower curb weight. Will it be enough to match the M3? Hit the jump to find out.

Honda Freed mini-minivan debuts in Japan

Honda revealed its new compact minivan today in Japan called the Freed. On sale today as well, the Freed can carry up to eight passengers within its diminutive dimensions thanks to a low, completely flat floor and some clever packaging. Opt for captains chairs in the second row and you can still ferry seven people between Kyoto and Tokyo in relative comfort. The Freed will also be offered in three versions that accommodate people in wheelchairs with ramps and lift-up seats. Honda's JDM mini-minivan will be offered in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive models powered by a 1.5L VTEC four-cylinder engine mated to either a 5-speed automatic or CVT transmission. It looks like a promising vehicle that Japanese buyers will snap up like 10-cent sushi, and we bet Honda would find a market for the Freed here in the U.S. as well considering the current popularity of fuel-efficient vehicles packing tons of practicality.

Spy Shots: Ford Fusion's new face found

We've known for some time that the Ford Fusion was due for a mid-cycle refreshening soon, but new spy shots from KGP Photography reveal that more might be in store for Ford's successful mid-size family sedan.
Previous spy shots have shown prototype Fusions wearing impenetrable front bras that completely obscured any design changes, but these new pics reveal what's been hiding underneath. This prototype features the current car's hood and "squircle" headlights, but sports a different grille style and front bumper. The Fusion's trademark three-bar grille looks like it will become more expressive in the next version, with the top bar bowed down slightly in the middle like a smile. We imagine the production version will have all three bars bowed to some degree, giving the Ford sedan a distinctly happy and swooped back face. The front bumper, meanwhile, reveals the shape of a new lower intake and two air intakes on each side that would house fog lamps. The most telling bit, however, is a character line we haven't seen before that appears to bend down from the front fender. This suggests that the entire front clip of the next Fusion will be all new, rather than just the mild refreshening we were expecting. Consider us intrigued and more than a bit curious at what the next Fusion, which may be a 2010 or 2011 model, will look like.

British eco car set for 2010 launch

A NEW four seater eco car built from lightweight materials should be on the market by 2010.

The Axon uses a tiny 500cc engine to give a fantastic 100 miles per gallon plus a top speed of 90 miles an hour.

The British-design will be built in Northamptonshire and was unveiled at the Sexy Green Car Show in Cornwall.

It’s made from recycled carbon fibre – the same lightweight stuff used to make the bodies of Formula 1 cars.

And it has also been wind-tunnel tested to make it as aerodynamic as possible

The two cylinder engine has only 43bhp, but that should be enough to help it keep up with other traffic because of the light weight.

It will meet the latest emissions standards, emitting only 70g/km of carbon dioxide according to the makers.

The projected cost is just under £11,000 and you can place an order now.

Interior

There is space for two adults and two children in child seats, and if the rear seats are not being used, this versatile design has a removable rear to turn it into a pickup.

The seat covers in the prototype are made from recycled denim and pin-striped suits, and will remain an option.

FAST FACTS

Price: £10,900

Mechanical: 43bhp, 500cc, 2 cyl petrol driving front wheels via 5 speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 90mph

0-62mph: N/A

Combined mpg: 100

Insurance group: N/A

CO2 emissions: 70g/km

BIK 15%

Warranty: N/A

Marks: 10/10 if the quality is there

Main Rival: VW Polo Bluemotion.

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 en route to dealers

If you're one of the lucky 6,400 customers to lay claim to the 425 hp Dodge Challenger SRT8, we have good news. The first 1,000 special edition Challengers have already been built, and they're en-route to a dealer near you. For those of you that won't be getting your Hemi-powered muscle car in the first wave, you won't have to wait long, either. Every SRT Challenger will be produced by the beginning of July, which means Woodward should be full of good-looking retro coupes come August. If you want a 6.1L Challenger, you're going to have to hit eBay or wait for 2009, because all 2008 models have been spoken for.

The Challenger has been one of the few pieces of good news surrounding the Pentastar of late, and a hot product couldn't be coming at a better time. We know gas if $4 per gallon and V8 muscle cars aren't exactly what the doctor ordered, but we're probably just as excited as the 6,400 Challenger SRT8 owners to get behind the wheel of this future classic.

Audi expected to introduce A5/S5 cabrio next year

Audi is intent on leaving no niche unfilled and the word from Inside Line is that the automaker is planning to unveil a cabrio variant of its A5 and S5 coupes. The convertible versions of the A5 and S5 won't be fitted with the folding hardtops that have become de rigueur among its luxury competitors, so expect a similar soft-top system to that found on the A4/S4/RS4 cabrio and TT roadster. Power will be provided by either the 265-hp, 3.2-liter V6 or the 354-hp 4.2-liter V8 found in the A5 and S5, respectively. Expect the new cabrios to debut later this year or early next, with sales beginning in the spring of 2009.

2009 Honda Pilot designer says number-crunchers won out

After reading what Honda R&D Americas Inc. Chief Designer Dave Marek has to say regarding the 2009 redesign of the popular Honda Pilot CUV, we sense that he might not think of the boxy model as his team's best work. We've heard our fair share of comments regarding the new Pilot's design, many of which are less than flattering. It seems as if Marek has heard the same detractors, and he explains away some of the more controversial elements, such as the floating front grille. Marek says of the grille, "[it] was a case of taking something that was on something else... and kind of massaging it to fit. On the mockup, [it] looks good. When you actually manufacture it, oops! That's actually what happened. It's hard to foresee." He follows that statement with, "I think when (the '09) is out on the road, people will appreciate it." Reading between the lines, it sounds like this may be a design of which he's not particularly proud. Thanks for the tip, Robert!

Launches Exotic Car Community, Gives Away Lamborghini and a Trip to Las Vegas

The new exotic car community is revving up with a contest sure to excite any high-end car enthusiast. Car Front is giving away a airfare and accommodations to Las Vegas and a Lamborghini to use while there, to one community member as a promotion celebrating the site's launch

Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) May 27, 2008 A new exotic car community has been launched for high-end, super-car enthusiasts. To encourage members to participate and share their passion for exotic cars, one lucky member of CarFront will win a trip to Las Vegas for the weekend where they will spend a day driving a Lamborghini, getting VIP access to a club and gawking at other supercars.


Lamborghini Gallardo
"We know how it is, living and breathing these cars," says Car Front owner Jeff Cox. "How many people honestly get the chance to drive a sports car that's worth the price of a house? By helping us to build a tight-knit community of real people and real experiences with exotic cars, one of our members will get to join that elite group by going to Las Vegas, driving a Lamborghini for a day, and experiencing some other fun activities we have planned for them."

"CarFront.com is more than just a forum for discussing supercars with other petrol heads," says Cox. The community also offers high-end automotive news as well as photos and videos featuring the high priced, high-end vehicles.

To be eligible for Car Front's contest to win the Las Vegas trip and the Lamborghini for a day, members must submit a video to the CarFront Video Contest via their YouTube Group, be at least twenty one years old and a resident of the United States (the continental U.S. to be eligible for airfare to Las Vegas). Members must also have a fifty post count minimum at the time of contest end to establish them as an active member of the community on the supercar forum, as outlined in the contest rules.

Rolls-Royce sketches out drivers' car

Two sketches of the next Rolls-Royce model, code-named RR4, were released today, showing a car with a meaty body and squashed cab. Of the new car, chief designer Ian Cameron said "The RR4 has a more informal presence than the Phantom models with a greater emphasis on driving. In design terms this is expressed through its slightly smaller dimensions and more organic form, yet with powerful, purposeful proportions." From the sketches, it looks as if the RR4 will be a four-door sedan with a less blocky grille than the current Phantom model, but will still sport the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. The wheels look particularly large, but that is often a trait of sketches.


Although the brand built its reputation on luxury, the acquisition by BMW has led to a new emphasis on engineering, and the new car will feature an engine developed in-house, rather than the BMW-sourced V-12 in the current Phantom. Rolls-Royce showed off a shorter, coupe version of the Phantom at this year's Geneva auto show, but the new RR4 will be a wholly different car. The company, which does emphasize quality over quantity, will expand its Goodwood-based plant by adding an additional assembly line and associated leather and wood shops. Rolls-Royce promises more details on the car throughout 2009, with a 2010 launch date.

VW Tiguan buyers get a Golf... temporarily

In a rather odd yet intriguing move, Volkswagen in Germany is handing out a new fifth-generation Golf to anyone who orders a Tiguan. The customer will keep the Golf until their new Tiguan utility vehicle is available, which, at current rates, will not be until next January at the earliest. In an effort to cover the cost of giving away a new car and getting it back used, VW will be providing its dealers with a one-time payment of €1,000 for each Tiguan sold. Unfortunately for the affected dealers, that won't be enough to recoup the lost value of the Golf, but it shows how eager VW is to sell its new small-ute in the face of similar new models coming from its key competition, namely the Mercedes-Benz GLK.

We've previously reported that the Tiguan will start at $22,490, which equals $23,840 after the expensive shipping cost is tacked on. After AWD is added, though, the price climbs to $29,515. Considering that seemingly lofty price point, Volkswagen isn't expecting to face such sales shortages in the U.S. where it is marketing its lil' ute as the GTI of CUV's.

Ford cuts inspired by Honda

For years, the success of vehicles such as the Ford F-Series pickups and Explorer SUV kept the Blue Oval brand from improving its line of mostly uncompetitive sedans. Automakers like Honda, though, never went the way of body-on-frame trucks and SUVs, preferring instead to continually improve its range of cars and crossover utility vehicles. That strategy is paying dividends in these days of high fuel prices, and Ford has taken notice. Asked whether he would prefer a more car-oriented model-mix, like that of Honda or Toyota, CEO Alan Mullaly recently answered, "Absolutely. We just don't have enough of those small or medium-sized vehicles yet, and that's what we need to concentrate on." Of course, all is not lost. As Automotive News points out, Ford has a new F-150 on the horizon, which is likely to improve its sales somewhat, and the brand as a whole has sold 647,140 vehicles, placing it well above Honda through April. Profitability, on the other hand, is another matter entirely.

MTM supercharges the Audi S5

The Audi S5 is no slouch at 354 horsepower, but German tuner MTM isn't satisfied and has given the 4.2-liter V8 a serious kick in the pants with an intercooled supercharger package that boosts horsepower to 505 and torque to 403. That's good enough to hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 186 mph. MTM is also offering a high-flow exhaust system, coilover suspension system, 15-inch brake system, and unique 21-inch wheels. Hmmm... an MTM supercharged S5 or an R8? Decision, decisions.

Battery technology gets new attentionc

The German automotive industry is embracing lithium-ion battery technology at a critical time when carmakers are lining up to unroll futuristic technologies, conserve fuel and fulfil stricter emission regulations. Slow in warming up to hybrids that combine a conventional gas engine with an electric motor, companies including Daimler and suppliers such as Bosch preferred initially to tout their clean diesels and focused instead on boosting efficiency directly in the combustion chamber.

Now, Daimler is looking to use the billions piling up for possible acquisitions in fuel-saving technology, and Bosch is already looking to add lithium-ion automotive batteries to its sprawling portfolio of industrial holdings.

"The market for lithium-ion batteries has probably one of the biggest growth potentials in the future," Thomas Weber, Daimler's head of technology, said at the Geneva auto show.

Daimler plans to launch its flagship Mercedes S-Class luxury sedan as a mild hybrid in 2009 using a lithium-ion battery and in the same year roll out an M-Class full hybrid, capable of driving only on electricity under certain conditions, similar to the Toyota Prius 7203.T.

Apart from what could be extensive parts of its fleet using some form of lithium-ion hybridization -- as Mercedes seeks to reduce the pollution pumped out from its high-performance cars and SUVs -- Weber said he also could imagine lithium-ion cells replacing the classic starter battery.

"Lithium-ion batteries have five to seven times more energy density and save considerable space and weight, and when you think farther down the road it's conceivable in the long term that there may very well be only lithium-ion used in the start-stop, starter and the hybrid batteries," he continued.

Rival luxury carmaker BMW showed off in Geneva its Vision EfficientDynamics concept study based on its X5, which is equipped with a lithium-ion battery that allows the SUV to emit just 172 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre and comes complete with a solar cell roof.

ETCM to launch two new models

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd will be launching two new models in the second half in a bid to increase its share of the Malaysian automotive market.

Executive director Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng said the first model to be introduced in the next few months would be a mid-sized executive passenger car priced from RM110,000 to RM120,000.

However, he declined to confirm if it would be the Nissan Sylphy, which was unveiled during Nissan Motor Co Ltd president and CEO Carlos Ghosn's visit to Tan Chong Motors' assembly plant in Serendah in March.

Dr Ang said Edaran Tan Chong Motor intended to capture a substantial share in the 2.0-litre segment with the introduction of the new model.

“This will be our re-entry into the 2-litre passenger segment, where we have been absent for a while,” he told Starbiz.

With the launch of the new model, Edaran Tan Chong Motor hopes to capitalise on the better-than-expected performance of the automotive industry, which in the first three months of this year, recorded better-than-forecast sales.

“MAA (Malaysia Automotive Association) has forecast sales of 510,000 units this year,” said Dr Ang, who is also vice-president of the association.

“The results from January to March have been more than the MAA forecast. The actual figure was 43,000 units per month,” he said.

Tan Chong posted strong sales last year for the Latio and Grand Livina, which were launched in June and December respectively.

“The Grand Livina has captured 47.5% of the non-national car segment for the 1.5- to 1.8-litre MPV segment, and the waiting list for it is more than one month,'' Dr Ang said.

He added that the second half would be more challenging for the automotive industry given the rising cost of petrol, the political uncertainty and the slowdown in the US economy.

“People may hold back purchases but whether the market is good or bad, people will still buy cars. We have two strong models now and the introduction of the two new models in the second half will make the challenges easier,”

Next Chrysler 300 gets evolutionary exterior, "huge leap" in interior

When the Chrysler 300 dropped on an unsuspecting public in 2004, it was all crisp edges and upright stance, with a bulldog face to help drive home the message of urgent thrust delivered by a reborn Hemi V8. Chrysler's got a refreshing in the pipeline for the 300, and that's giving designers fits. It's akin to sophomore album syndrome – when the original is a huge hit, how, exactly, do you follow it up? Chrysler designers are invoking the Porsche philosophy used to update its 911 through the generations as a roadmap for the 300's body changes, so don't expect anything too dramatic on the outside.

Inside, however, will be where the real action occurs. While not the worst interior Chrysler puts out, it's certainly got room for improvement. Cerberus chairman Steven Feinburg is reportedly passionate about improving the quality of Chrysler's offerings, and the lower quality materials we have today are being jettisoned in favor of more competitive finery. Whether that means competitive with what's out there right now, or as good as what everyone else will have by the time the new 300 hits the market, we don't know. Equipment levels, too, are an area where Chrysler wants to improve. Look for more technology and features that are better executed in the new 300, which the design staff has hopefully not managed to whack with an ugly stick in the name of "continued distinctiveness," or some other marketing double-speak for "we couldn't do better, so we did weird."

Hyundai to spend $80m on Genesis sedan launch, pre-sales top 700 so far

Hyundai has big plans for its luxury Genesis sedan, and the Korean automaker is willing to pony up $80m to get the word out. Rich appointments, rear-wheel-drive, a choice of powerful engines, and a starting price of $30k is a good story to sell customers on, and the Genesis sedan is being looked at as the halo car in Hyundai's lineup. That helps justify spending the most launch money on any Hyundai ever, even though only 30,000 Genesis sedans are scheduled to be sold per year. Genesis marketing begins with a 15-city tour involving about 100 sedans, and will include television ads plus the Internet and plenty of viral events.

We're very anxious to see if Hyundai can deliver a legitimate Lexus GS competitor for over $10,000 less, and if the Genesis is as good as advertised, the $80m will be money well spent. Hit the jump to see the Hyundai Genesis sedan Super Bowl commercials.

Jaguars new XF surpasses sales expectations

Jaguar dealers across the Middle East have just launched the new XF saloon but targets have already gone beyond pre sales expectations with all allotted units sold out.
Mark Eedle, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for Jaguar Middle East attributed the success to pre launch excitement created at the Kuwait and Dubai Motor Shows.

UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Lebanon have been the strongest markets with over 75% of sales being generated out of these four countries.

'The reception we’ve been getting from customers across the region has been phenomenal. We’ve got a sell-out with the new XF. This success is reaffirmation that our new design strategy is on track with meeting and exceeding customer requirements. The XF is a bold new step that shows the world Jaguar truly knows how to design beautiful, fast cars,'

added Eedle.

Having received excellent reviews from customers and media from around the world, the new XF was voted 'Car of the Year' at the 2008 What Car? awards. This was another addition to a list that already included a host of significant awards like 'Car of the Year’ from The Sun newspaper, 'Interior of the Year’ from CAR magazine and the 'Design Award’ from Autocar magazine.

The new XF is available with three different engine variants: 3.0 litre V6 and 4.2 litre (natural or supercharged variants), all featuring Jaguar’s six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted 'paddles’ for manual gear selection (Jaguar Sequential Shift).

"For Sale" of the Day: 1982 CHP Mustang

The news that the Indiana state police are adding new, unmarked Mustang GTs to their patrol fleet sent this blogger over to SSPMustang.org for a little nostalgia. SSPMustang is a site dedicated to the 1982 - 1993 Special Service Package Mustangs and the enthusiasts who find them and keep them going. You don't have to think that far back to recall when the sight of an tinted-out, unmarked 5.0 LX notch on the side of the highway was something you'd immediately jump on the brakes for. Many states had marked ones, too, and in all cases, they were manned by troopers ready to give pursuit.

I clicked on the site's "For Sale" link out of curiosity, and lo and behold, there's a beauty up for grabs. The 1982 California Highway Patrol SSP 5.0L you see above belongs to SSPMustang.org webmaster Mike Riley, and he's letting it go. As you can see, it's been fully restored, right down to the period-correct radios and reproduction "E" plates, among other things. The listing has an extensively detailed rundown on the car, its history, and the work done on it as well as several more large photos. While you're on the site, visit the "Features" section, where you can see more cars, including Riley's interesting '86 SSP 'Stang that served as the Indian Rocks, FL fire chief's car. Neat stuff. As for the CHP ride, he's asking $11,500 for it. If you decide to make it yours, our only recommendation is that you refrain from driving it in Dearborn, MI.

Tesla too rich for your budget? How about an electric Saturn Sky?

Building a car is an enormously complex and expensive process. With all the safety regulations that have to be met in order to sell a new car, startup companies that want to build electric vehicles have mostly taken one of two paths to the road. The first is one taken by companies like Zap and Aptera. Those companies are building three-wheeled vehicles which are classed as motorcycles and thus exempt from safety rules. The other path is the one chosen by Phoenix Motorcars, where an existing vehicle platform is converted to electric drive. Advanced Mechanical Products of Cincinnati OH is following the latter path.

AMP is offering up an electrically-driven version of the Saturn Sky to those who want an emissions-free (direct emissions anyway, power plants are another story) sports car for less money than a Tesla Roadster. AMP takes a Sky and removes the EcoTec four-cylinder drivetrain. A battery pack goes in its place underhood and a pair of electric motors and electronics get installed in the back end. The AMP website lists the price for the conversion at $25,000 plus the cost of a new Sky, which puts the total at about half the price of a Tesla. They say it will go 150 miles on a charge and 0-60 in 5.7 seconds. The only problem with that claim is that a battery pack that can provide that kind of range would likely weigh around 800 lbs or more and be considerably larger than the one shown in the illustration. That kind of mass over the front wheels would not help the Sky's handling. There is also no indication that a working prototype of this thing even exists or when deliveries would begin. We'll look into this further over the long weekend, but as always, caveat emptor.

Mazda2 5-door spotted in California

Although we've seen the Mazda2 before in 3- and 5-door configurations overseas, the presence of it at a local car meet in Southern California had us once again speculating about its sales potential in the States. The fact that the meet was held at Mazda's SoCal HQ means that the car could simply be undergoing evaluation, but judging by the reaction of the crowd, we think this has better sales potential than the 2009 Focus that was parked at the other end of the lot. While the exterior looked pretty spiffy, the interior looked cavernous. Smart design, and a worthy competitor for the Yaris, Versa and Fit. While we've heard that Ford's version of this car, the Fiesta, will make it to our shores eventually, we still don't know for sure about this lovely little Mazda. Mazda keeps waffling. We'll keep our fingers crossed, especially knowing there's that Mazdaspeed2 in the mix, at least overseas. But that's where all of the magic seems to start nowadays so there is hope.

L.A. County Lifeguards rolling in custom Ford Escape Hybrids

The Los Angeles County Lifeguards (cue the Baywatch theme and visions of Pamela and the shirtless Hoff) are getting new rides. A fleet of customized 4WD Ford Escape Hybrids is replacing the group's current pickup trucks, and the first ten (of a total 45) have been delivered. Changes made to the Escapes for lifeguard duty include the replacement of the center console with a radio rack and the removal of the 60% side of the 60/40 split rear seat. In its place is a storage unit for emergency equipment. The lifeguards' Escapes are also fitted with heavy-duty rubber mats and are literally topped off with a custom roof rack. All are finished in the signature yellow paint, which is further accented with special graphics and dark wheels. It's a pretty spiffy-looking package overall, and the hybrid part of the equation surely appeals to many in the Golden State. You can read Ford's lengthy press release after the jump.

In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Acura TSX

2008 is shaping up to be a very busy year for Honda's up-market Acura division. With the unveiling of a new diesel engine and the revamp of their entire sedan lineup, Acura is attempting to reinvent itself as a credible player in the premium sedan segment. But ever since Acura's birth in 1986 as the very first premium Japanese brand, the automaker has suffered from an identity crisis. Acura has always been a mixed bag, as if Honda wasn't sure what it wanted it to be, and with a lineup that spanned the enthusiast-friendly Integra/RSX, the rebadged Isuzu-built SLX and the competent but anonymous RL, consumers were equally confounded.

After complaints that the previous generation of Acura sedans were utterly devoid of style, the automaker decided to give all of its vehicles a bold, new face for the 2009 model year. However, as anyone who has ever followed the follies of cosmetic surgery knows, it's far from a sure bet. Although surgeons claim to be able to take years off a patient's face, the result is often just some weird mutation that looks like a bad photoshop job. Case-in-point: the 2009 Acura RL that debuted at this year's Chicago Auto Show. The new shielded fascia Acura applied to its "flagship" was greeted with howls of pain from virtually all who laid eyes upon it. The RL was followed a month later by an all-new TSX, and on the smaller sedan, the overall look was better received, but many of Acura's aesthetically astute critics remained. Now that we've had a chance to spend some serious time living with the 2009 TSX, we were prepared to move beyond its controversial exterior and see how it faired in the real world. Hit the jump to see how it did.

Confirmed: FWD Impala around through 2012

It has been rumored for the last few months that Chevrolet would be soldiering on with a front-wheel-drive Impala for at least the next few years. The recent contract agreement between the Canadian Auto Workers union and General Motors appears to cement this rumor as fact. According to the signed pact, GM promised to keep the Oshawa Assembly plant, where the current-generation Impala is made, open until 2012 -- two years longer than first planned. The Impala is a pretty good seller for the General, so we're not too surprised that upper-level management would want to leave it alone, but that doesn't stop us from wanting to see Chevy's bread-and-butter full-size sedan return to its roots by going rear-wheel-drive.

One thing is for certain: by the year 2012, the W-Body platform of the current Impala will be absolutely ancient. On the other hand, we've had nothing but good things to say about the new Zeta platform which underpins such enthusiast-friendly vehicles as the new Pontiac G8. Therefore, we can at least hold out some hope that GM will find a way to offer as many vehicles as possible using the new chassis architecture, whether they are named Impala or not. Anybody want to see a new Nova?

McQueen's LeMans Porsche may fetch $2m at Bonhams

One of Steve McQueen's co-stars in the 1971 documentary-style film Le Mans, a Porsche racing car, is up for action this August in Carmel Valley, California. The car is a 1969-1970 Porsche 908/2 Spyder. It features a 3.0-liter oil-cooled flat-8 engine rated at 350 hp @ 8500 rpm. While many of today's production cars are making that type of power, with a fiberglass body on a tubular aluminum spaceframe, the Porsche 908/2 tips the scales at just under 1,322 pounds. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox giving the racer a top speed of 200 mph. This particular vehicle was mounted with two cameras and raced in the French city of Le Mans to create footage for the racing film (the car is said to have competed in the event five times). The classic Porsche sounds like a ton of fun to toss around a track, but the winning bidder may have second thoughts if the car fetches anywhere near its pre-auction estimate of $2 million -- not entirely unlikely as another one of McQueen's cars, a Ferrari Lusso, grabbed $2.31 million at an auction last year.

Gentlemen GT: Soul-searching through Nevada in Maserati's Gran Turismo

I've been reading an unhealthy amount of car reviews for more years than I dare to count and I'm guessing you're the same. But over the last decade, I've become increasingly selective about which sources and writers are worthy of fulfilling my fix. Money that should otherwise be stuffed away for a rainy day or put towards replacing the waterpump in my E36 inevitably finds its way into the till of my local bookseller when a new issue of Evo or Car hits the stands. While it still seems that a handful of buff books and a select few newspaper writers have the market cornered on the art of road-going storytelling, one light shines in our little corner of the webiverse.

Motive was smart enough to hire Davey G. Johnson, former Jalop contributor and friend of everyone here at Autoblog, to review the Maserati Gran Turismo, and where Davey goes we follow. He recounts his time in the driver's seat of Maser's grand-tourer, providing further evidence that true automotive verse isn't always found on dead trees. These kind of stories continue to solidify the 'Net's grasp on the future of automotive journalism, proving that the medium doesn't matter – the man behind the keyboard wields the power to inspire.

Rendered Speculation: Way out there Mazda RX-9

The photo above looks too cool not to be a future RX-8 incarnation, but the rendering merely represents one Mazda fan's interpretation of the next Rotary-powered sports coupe. Forum poster Rhoadwh over at Fomoconews concocted the sweet-looking coupe after picking up on the most sensible parts of the Taiki and Furai concepts from this past year's auto circuit. Rhoadwh chose the front engine layout of the Taiki and the overall design theme of the completely badass Furai to make a race-ready RX-9 for the future.

Sure, this rendering is just one guy having fun, but we're with him in hoping that Mazda takes into account the outstanding design language used in the Taiki concept, and even more so the Furai. It's amazing what someone with Photoshop and a healthy dose of talent can do. Thanks for the tip, Mbuku!

General Motors partially opens Heritage Center to the public

One of the most amazing collections of historic cars anywhere is also one that very few people have ever seen. Since it's inception, the General Motors Heritage Center has never been open to the public. The center has a collection of nearly 800 cars of which about 200 are typically on display at any given time while others are loaned out to other museums or car shows. The facility includes 15,000 feet of racks filled with millions of pages of corporate archives documenting the first century of the company's history. The facility has been used for company meetings and special events occasionally opens to friends and family of employees and now GM is partially opening the doors to the Heritage Center. However, it won't be open to just anyone who wanders up to the front door of the non-descript building in a Sterling Heights MI business park. GM is making the facility available for car clubs and groups of 20 or more people. If you've got an event that you would like to hold at the Heritage Center send an email to the center for more information at gmhc -at- gm.com.

Kelley Blue Book names Best New Road Trip Vehicles for 2008

Next Monday is Memorial Day, which many think of as the official start of the summer driving season. That means it's time to pack your families and all their associated gear in the family truckster family sedan and head out to see the relatives. We've already seen one set of choices for the best vehicle with which to hit the open road, and now Kelley Blue Book has decided to throw its hat in the ring as well. They cover all the bases, so regardless of the size of your clan, you'll be sure to find a recommendation that suits you. Some of their choices, like the Grand Caravan sitting at number five, seem pretty obvious and would likely make for a smooth trip. If smoothness isn't really your thing, perhaps the Bugatti Veyron, number two on KBB's list, would be a better choice. Too fuel thirsty for your pocketbook? Consider the Prius at number nine. Take a look at their full list here.

Eco cars branded gimmicks as tests show they release up to one and a half times as much emissions as makers claim

Low emission "eco cars" release up to one and a half times as much carbon dioxide as their makers claim, according to road tests.

Three "environmentally friendly" models performed so poorly that they were branded gimmicks that cash in on growing concern about global warming.

A further five also failed to match their advertised emissions figure - including VW's Polo BlueMotion which was the first to go below 100grams of CO2 per kilometre.

The worst offender in the checks by Auto Express magazine was Honda's Civic Hybrid. It was found to emit 171g/km compared to the 109g/km claimed - 56 per cent more.

The magazine said the car's electric motor is "not strong enough to propel the oddball four-door Civic on its own" and it "failed to match the firm's economy claims".

The other "gimmick" cars were the luxury Lexus GS450h - the model leased by Tory leader David Cameron to show his green credentials - and Skoda's Fabia Greenline.

But the magazine was impressed by the technological innovations introduced to cut CO2 and said five of the cars could be considered 'green' despite failing to live up to claimed figures.

They are Ford's Focus ECOnetic, the Mini Cooper Clubman D, VW Polo BlueMotion, Seat Ibiza ECOmotive and Toyota Prius.

Auto Express says carbon emissions have become the yardstick by which a car's "greenness" is measured and can make or break a new model.

Editor David Johns said it was crucial that consumers know whether cars billed as eco-friendly are "truly green or really just pure gimmick".

The official figures are based on laboratory tests conducted by the manufacturers, importers or independent test engineers. They are a big selling point in adverts and affect the levels of road tax paid.

Honda denied the Civic Hybrid was a "gimmick" and insisted its carbon emissions were lower than other four-door saloons.

A spokesman said: "The quoted figures are generated from standard Government tests so that customers have a benchmark to compare one car with another.

"They are done in laboratory conditions and do not necessarily reflect driving conditions."

Rendered Phat: Scuderia Bizzarrini P538

Any day with a new Italian supercar is a good day. Today, then, is such a day, brought to you by one of the most stoic names inside or outside the business. Those in the know will recognize the name as belonging to Giotto Bizzarrini, the sportscar guru whose career brought him to the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and Iso. Among his most famous creations were the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO and the enduring Lamborghini V12 whose latest evolution can still be found in the Murcielago and Reventon. In the 1960's Bizzarrini went independent and built, among others, the original P538S. Although it didn't do very well at Le Mans – spinning at the start of the 1966 running and failing to start in '67 – the P538S gathered a following as one of Bizzarrini's greatest designs.

What you see above is a modern interpretation of that legendary vehicle. The new Scuderia Bizzarrini P538 borrows its chassis from the Galmer Arbitrage GT, the wicked-looking Thai supercar we brought you nearly two years ago. Like the Arbitrage, and following the spirit of the original Corvette-powered P538S, the new Bizzarrini prototype is powered by a mid-mounted Chevrolet LS7 V8. Bodywork is suitably stunning, looking something like a cross between a Lotus, a Koenigsegg and a Porsche Carrera GT, but with its own unique flavor. Although it does not seem that Giotto Bizzarrini was involved in the project himself, he is said to have given his approval.

This isn't the first effort to revive the Bizzarrini name since the company folded in 1969, but if it actually rolls into even limited production after its official unveiling (scheduled for this month at Italy's famed Nardo high-speed test track) this month, it may succeed where other efforts – including the 1998 Kjara hybrid sportscar and the GT Strada 4.1 concept shown at Geneva '05 – previously failed.

Check out the image gallery to view 25 computer renderings of the new concept. Thanks for the tip, Ketan!

Did CARB kill the electric car?

The General Motors EV1 has turned into one of the largest scapegoats in the automotive industry. Many people believe that the futuristic electric car was put to pasture long before its full usefulness had been met, a controversial viewpoint supported by the Chris Paine film, "Who Killed the Electric Car." To those conspiracy theorists, Angus MacKenzie at Motor Trend has another take to offer: blame CARB. While the California Air Resources Board has been blamed for many things, the death of the electric car is not often one of them. But MacKenzie quotes Howard Wilson, a man deeply involved in the EV1 program, as suggesting that the engineering team wanted to make the electric car a hybrid using a small gas turbine engine which could make enough electricity for the electric motors without a large battery. This could have reduced the weight of the vehicle and increased its range exponentially. Why didn't they do it? CARB had mandated that the automakers needed to offer at least two percent of their fleets as zero emission vehicles, which effectively sealed the fate of the hybrid EV1. These happenings left the door wide open for other companies, Toyota in particular, to carve out the hybrid niche for themselves. The rest, as they say, is history.

Gumpert Apollo Hybrid begins testing at Nurburgring

Gumpert is entering a hybrid version of its supercar, the Apollo, in the Nurburgring 24-Hour race. Instead of the normal car's Audi 4.2-liter twin-turbo with 650 HP, the racer gets a 3.3-liter V8 with something like 630-HP, in addition to a 100kW electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. The 190 kilos of batteries will be recharged by application of the brakes, but it isn't clear exactly how the electric motor will be applied -- slow speed (aka pit lane) use only, or to provide an extra boost during the race.

The car will be driven by Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Dirk Muller. The hybrid Apollo will test its fortunes against the Audi R8 and Lexus LF-A, both of which are in the same class. If the car does well, it could mean good things for the introduction of hybrid technologies into other race series like Formula 1.

C-Max and Kuga may follow Euro Focus to the U.S.

Nary a month week day goes by that we're not told of the imminent importation of Ford's grass-is-greener Euro models. The Fiesta has been approved for U.S. consumption in 2010, and even though we've heard the Focus shtick before, it would appear that it's finally coming to fruition in late 2010 or early 2011. But Ford can't rely on just one product to justify sales of the next-generation C1 platform in the States (there's also the Volvo S40/C30 and Mazda3), so it's looking to bring two other Blue Oval-branded models to justify the expense.

Speaking with Automotive News, Ford's president of the Americas, Mark Fields, confirmed that the U.S. is slated to receive multiple C-segment vehicles that have already debuted in Europe and Japan. The first vehicle that could conceivably be brought to market is the recently released Kuga crossover, which shares the C1 platform and could be marketed as the next Escape or Mercury Mariner if we're lucky. The second model is the Ford C-Max, which is a more modern take on the traditional people mover, and would provide SUV refugees a compelling case to downsize their rides into anything but a minivan.

Fields didn't divulge when the European product onslaught would take place, but it's a safe bet that if either vehicle immigrates across the Atlantic, we'll be seeing them around the turn of the decade.

Holden Commodore hybrid and turbo'd four under consideration

Two separate reports out of Australia say that Holden is looking to maximize the Commodore's fuel efficiency in an effort to stoke sales. Both stories quote General Motor's Asia-Pacific vice president, Nick Reilly, but the separate reports, while sharing a common theme, come to decidedly different conclusions about how the General plans to proceed.

The first story from the Sydney Morning Herald (thanks Patrick!) cites Reilly as saying that Holden is looking into hybrid technology to power the Commodore. "[It] could be one of the first hybrids that you will see," but Reilly insists that a gasoline-electric Commodore is still a few years out.

The second report comes courtesy of Drive.com.au, who also spoke with Reilly and asked if a four-cylinder version of the Commodore was in the cards. "It makes a lot of sense," Reilly said, "and therefore we're probably looking at it, but I can't tell you when." While that's far from a confirmation that a turbocharged four is on the way, it coincides with earlier reports that the new Camaro, which shares its platform with the Commodore, might benefit from the same 260 hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter found in the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Redline.

Both stories are somewhat devoid of hard details, but despite that, it may be proof that General Motors' operations Down Under are willing to look at a variety of solutions to address the Commodore's slipping sales.

Subaru releases Exiga teaser

After a flurry of rumors circulated last week, Subaru has officially confirmed that a production version of the Exiga seven-passenger wagon is on its way. To sate our appetites before the official reveal on June 17th, Subaru has released a teaser image of the Exiga, along a micro-site dedicated to the automaker's newest people-mover.

Judging by the Japanese-language site, Subaru appears to be positioning the Exiga as a luxury alternative to the traditional wagon or crossover, with a well-appointed interior and a panoramic roof. Then again, our impression might be skewed by the up-beat techno soundtrack on the site (people at work, beware).

Click the image above for a high-res version of the teaser, along with a photochopped image that lightens up the pic to reveal a few more of the Exiga's details.

Another Ferrari spontaneously combusts

Ferraris are best known for their looks, performance, and exclusivity, but lately, it seems one could add flammability to that list of attributes. The latest case of Ferrari flambé involves a beautiful black 599 GTB Fiorano, which self-ignited at a stop light while being driven by someone who wasn't even the car's owner. Martin Bullen, who works at supercar garage Romans International in Banstead, UK, was at the wheel when he heard a strange sound followed by a brilliant display of smoke and fire. The £250,000 exotic was a total loss, and the 28-year-veteran of the high-end garage had to inform his boss of the Ferrari's fate.

Luckily for Bullen, his employer is a forgiving and understanding man. Garage owner Paul Jaconelli said he wouldn't hold the destroyed 599 against his employee, and that the vehicle was still covered under warranty. That's good news for Bullen, but Ferrari owners the world over must be wondering if their expensive toys will be the next to join the ranks of the carbequed. This isn't exactly what they bargained for when they decided to get a hot car. Head to The Sun for more pics of the latest Fire-ari. Thanks for the tip, Chris!

REPORT: Production-trim Chevy Volt to be shown in Paris

Britain's Channel 4 reports that GM will be making an announcement related to the Chevy Volt when the curtain lifts on the 2008 edition of the Mondial de l'Automobile, better known around here as the Paris Motor Show, in October. Channel 4 reports that we can expect to see the U.S. production-spec Volt on display in the City of Lights. That's big news in and of itself, and we're wondering if GM will use the occasion to tell Europe when they can plan on getting an Opel-branded E-Flex ride of their own. Hmmm... An official Camaro unveiling this summer and now the production Volt in Paris? Color us intrigued about what GM plans to blow everyone away with in Detroit next January.

In The Autoblog Garage: Suzuki XL7

Suzuki's swapped the ladder frame architecture of the past to create a more civilized XL7, a welcome change from the Vitara roots of the original. The XL7's unitized Theta II platform, on loan from General Motors, also serves as the basis for the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. Suzuki also borrows the General's 3.6 liter V6, trying its very best in this application. The XL in the name is an apt descriptor, this is a lot of vehicle, and the price makes it a lot of value. So, what had to be sacrificed to bring such family friendly acreage in for the $22,000 of our trial unit?

Camaros, turbos, mpgs and the underappreciated V8

The GMnext blog has a post up that talks about the potential viability of a low-displacement turbocharged motor -- the direct-injected 2.0L Ecotec turbo, specifically -- in upcoming GM cars, including the Camaro. Let's talk about this a little. The breathed-upon Ecotec delivers 260 horses and 260 lb-ft of torque, and if you've driven, say, the Sky or Solstice equipped with it, you know just how ballsy it really is. It's more powerful (but less torquey) than either V8 offered in the '87 IROC-Z that I thought was so cool back during high school. The turbo four might well be a nice solution in a future iteration of the Camaro, but is the fuel economy argument for it as rock solid as it might seem on the surface?

The Pontiac Solstice GXP with the turbo four has an EPA fuel economy rating of 19 city/28 hwy when mated to a 5-speed manual. Not bad at all for the performance it delivers, but that same drivetrain in the bigger, heavier Camaro isn't likely to give you equal returns in terms of fuel consumption. Over at AutoblogGreen, Sam notes that the 2.0 turbo's lighter weight relative to the six- and eight-cylinders the Camaro's going to launch with should help somewhat. He follows by reminding us that GM's next-gen mild hybrid system will work with RWD cars and predicts that we'll see a 2.0T hybrid Camaro by 2011 or so. This would dovetail neatly with the first phase of the new CAFE regs, and we're sure GM would find a way to engineer a hypothetical turbo/hybrid's fuel economy numbers so they'd play nice within Uncle Sam's rules. Great.

The issue with all this talk of four-cylinder turbos and hybrids for a muscle car (along with attempts to redefine the class and reset expectations) is that everyone conveniently overlooks just how good the existing V8 is. In the 2008 Corvette Coupe, the big bad 6.2L LS3 is rated at 16 city/26 hwy. Hardly a guzzler in the traditional sense, the V8's rating isn't that far off from the direct-injected Ecotec turbo. Furthermore, the V8's fuel economy comes with 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque. Those are numbers befitting a muscle car like a Camaro. Who's to say a direct-injected LS-family V8 with efficiency tech like hybridization and/or cylinder deactivation wouldn't be just as effective at meeting the federal fuel economy requirements that begin taking effect a few years from now? You could potentially satisfy the government-created CAFE gods without giving the customers who want actual, traditional muscle the finger in the process. Yes, the consensus seems to be that smaller engines will be a necessity across the board in the new CAFE era, but let's not summarily ignore the bigger ones just because they're big.

Jaguar posts first sales rise in almost 2 years

For decades, Ford has carried Jaguar like an 800 lb guerrilla on the company's back. And just as Ford is able to unload the money-burning British marque, the leaping cat responds by posting its first sales increase in two years. Jaguar's April sales were up a ridiculous 69.6% in Europe, and while Automotive News somehow gives credit for this sales success to Tata Motors, it likely has a hell of a lot more to do with the all-new XF sedan. Jaguar has 18,000 customers in line for the new 4-door, which has given sales figures a big lift while helping other Jags leave the dealer lot, too. The slow-selling X-Type and the underrated XJ also got a lift from the extra showroom traffic.

At first glance, it appears Ford's luck just can't change, as Jaguar is finally looking interesting just as the Blue Oval sells it off. What's more likely is that Ford wouldn't have gotten as much cash for the leaping cat if it couldn't dangle a hot-looking sedan to potential suitors.