thegriffon

The Turbo X is basically a limited-edition version of the Aero XWD. All XWD 9-3s get the 280 PS engine shared with the fwd Vectra OPC, while fwd Aeros get the 255 PS version. If you don't like the styling of the Turbo X, fine, just get a standard Aero XWD and save yourself some money into the bargain.

The implication is that it would be an incentive to field a prototype like the Audi R10 or Porsche RS Spyder (which are two different sport prototype classes), not a GT1 car. The prototypes always take the podium, while GT2 is closer to stock. GT2 seems the more likely choice for GM, as the prototype class requires a serious investment in engine development almost completely divorced from production use (currently Audi and Peugeot V12 diesels dominate).

Well, this concept is too much of an MPV monospace form to presage the Astra, and the Zafira is a larger 7-seater on an extended wheelbase. The Meriva is already in final road tests and looks nothing like this, so the "Astra-sized" thing is a red herring, if it's even true.

Not with a domestic power outlet you couldn't.

I wouldn't read too much into the styling—it's mainly a rush job to demonstrate a diesel version of E-Flex. In as much as it shares rudimentary styling cues with the GTC Concept there is a hint at future Opel/Saturn styling, but no more.

Completely different target than the Malibu, Camry, Accord and Altima—large family sedans. The closest competition for the Mazda6 will be the new Opel (whatever they call it) and the Accord Euro. The Opel in particular will make the Passat Coupe seem silly (same style—not a hardtop—but much more money). This driver-oriented fwd sedan market is where the G6 doesn't quite measure up, and something GM will hopefully address with the next gen, whether they go fwd or rwd.

If Toyota believes connecting the engine to the driving wheels mechanically is an advantage, why do so many of their hybrids have electric-only awd?

Not quite. Railroad locomotives generally have electric motors connected to one or more gearsets in each driving truck, and until recently have not used batteries for storage or even regenerative braking (the motors generate current under braking but it has gone to high-resistance electric radiators in the roof). True hybrids running on battery power have been limited to a few new yard switchers, while the first "road" engine has only just begun trials. Since weight is an advantage (at least up to the track limit) for a locomotive, lead acid batteries remain the preferred choice.

Then make that clear to your local representatives.

Volvo ReCharge Concept: Plug-in hybrid with battery-only range of 100 km — and Flexifuel engine for backup power Volvo Cars is introducing the Volvo ReCharge Concept, a plug-in hybrid with individual electric wheel motors and batteries that can be recharged via a regular electrical outlet for maximum environmental benefit. Recharging allows the car to be driven about 100 kilometers on battery power alone before the car's four-cylinder Flexifuel engine is needed to power the car and recharge the battery. Volvo ReCharge Concept makes its debut in a specially designed Volvo C30 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. … Full release, photos and videos at AutoReport

It's the E-Flex version ;-)

It will be in A4/9-3/Passat/TSX territory most probably. The Fiat Croma is Epsilon based. The Alfas' Premium platform was intended to be shared with Saab, and is compatible with Epsilon, but not the same. How much of the work GM is carrying over to Epsilon II instead is anyone's guess (unless of course you have been working on both architectures).

As Volvo points out eliminating the mechanical transmission is more efficient, cutting out a big drain on power to the wheels. While the Volvo concept has a longer range than GM's, a production version is not anticipated until 5–6 years later.

Err, no, Jim Press left Toyota because he'd gotten a far as he was going to get up the ladder in a Japanese family company (Toyota scions are waiting in the wings to take over the company). At Chrysler he has an opportunity to run the whole damn show globally, eventually taking over from Nardelli. Jim Press as Chairman and CEO of Toyota Jidosha K.K.? Never Gonna Happen.

there's always LA in late '08.

Ah, poor Tom, perhaps he is relieved though not to be in charge, but I can't see them sticking with two Presidents. How long before LaSorda is re-titled Vice President of Manufacturing?

For Frankfurt Volvo is unveiling a 100 mile battery-range plugin hybrid, similar to E-Flex but with a 1.6 L generator (Ford only has one engine as small as the Volt's 1.0 L, a SOHC brazilian flexfuel 4-cylinder, whereas GM has three plus two more in recent concepts that may hint at future engines).

That should be 6 o'clock spokes, this is a proposal for the NG corporate 4-spoke steering wheel.

And in Europe, not much more expensive than a Passat or Mondeo.

GM supplies all the gasoline engines for these cars—1.9 and 2.2 L family II four-cylinders and the Global V6 in 3.2 L form, all with dual-VVT and GDI.

Oh, and a Lambda isn't any smaller if you were considering one of those instead.

Later, a dual-mode Vue comes first.

Considering that a Honda Pilot gets 15/20 that's great.

I have to agree with smk's assessment that the CTS is neither fish nor fowl. It's priced too low to match the 5-series on technology (including extensive use of aluminum to lower weight) and equipment, and is sized to big to match the 3-series and IS on performance and handling. On the other hand, the European segment standard is shifting from compacts such as the 3-series and C-Class to true midsize sedans—the Saab 9-3 (actually downsized after the introduction of the 9000/9-5) and Alfa 159 already match the G35 in size and the new A4 also leaps up into this size bracket (around 4.7 m long, the middle of the D/E segment the E-Class and 5-series have only recently vacated—the CTS is at the low end of the higher E/F segment occupied by the 5-series, XF, STS and M series etc.). This is also roughly the same size as Holden's Torana TT36 concept, often seen as the archetype for the smaller, lighter Alpha rwd architecture.

I have a feeling this is one of the rejected designs for the LaCrosse, probably the North American version. If you will remember, you're getting a Chinese-designed interior. North America will focus on the exterior design.