<![CDATA[Jalopnik: Gossip]]> http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: Gossip]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/gossip http://jalopnik.com/tag/gossip <![CDATA[Nissan GT-R Spec-V Delayed, NISMO GT-R "Evolution" S-Tune Coming Soon]]> According to the Frenchies at Le Blog Auto, the Nissan GT-R Spec-V has allegedly been delayed and is now expected to debut as late as next year. But rumors are also swirling of a new GT-R variant to be launched in the meantime. Although it's not to be confused as a Mitsubishi, some are throwing around a name of "Evolution" for this NISMO-tuned GT-R. Although we like the sound of NISMO goodies, can we really believe that'll be the name? More importantly, what else can we expect? More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=399943&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[PUTC: 2013 Ford F-150 To Get Four-Cylinder EcoBoost Engine]]> Our good friends at PickupTrucks.com and Automotive News are reporting this morning Ford is planning to offer a version of the F-150 with a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine by 2013. The move is a response to rapidly rising prices at the gas pump and new NHTSA standards that will raise Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for light trucks to 28.6 mpg by 2015. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=398437&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[More On The Camaro Reveal, Revealed, Unofficially]]> We reported last night we'd heard that the official production 2010 Chevy Camaro announcement's coming later this month. Now we've got some details about what's supposedly going down — including news dealers may be able to begin placing orders for the new muscle car from Chevy beginning the day of the announcement — July 22nd. Full details from our source after the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=398262&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Alfa Romeo Could Californicate, Build 8C Replacement Off Ferrari California]]> In a recent interview, Alfa Romeo's global marketing director, Sergio Cravero, expressed his desire to have an Alfa Romeo model based on the new 2009 Ferrari California. "It would be great if Ferrari let us do it... but they are very hard to convince." The potential model would be a replacement for Alfa's current dragon-bait halo cars, the 8C Competizione and 8C Spider. Of course, the 8C hasn't been a directly profitable model for Alfa, so we're thinking that they're hoping to actually make some money by mooching more from Ferrari for the next car. [autocar] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=397729&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2009 Cadillac CTS-V To Produce 567 HP?]]> Any way you cut it, GM is going for blood with the new and improved 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and word from engineers of an unofficial rating of at least 550 HP only furthers that point. It takes a lot to make the BMW M5 look like a chump, but a 50 HP advantage will do a thing like that. Of course, the engine hasn't gone through SAE certification yet, and based on GM's history of underselling the power output on its recent engines, Edmunds Inside Line is extrapolating a 567 HP figure out of the LS9 mill. We would never go so far as to speculate on numbers, but we will wring our hands in delighted anticipation. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=385548&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Baby Ferrari F149 Dino California GT Or Whatever Caught In Action At Fiorano]]> You've already heard about the upcoming baby Ferrari. A lot. Though we're not sure if it'll be called Dino, F149, California GT, or something else. What we do know is that we're told we can expect it to expose itself in about two weeks. And now, we may also know what it looks and sounds like in motion around Ferrari's Fiorano test track. Is that a V8 we hear screaming through the tailpipes?[YouTube via autoblog.nl] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=383798&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ferrari F149 Makes Photographic Debut... in Two Weeks?]]> The rumor mill has been churning at full froth lately over a possible new model from the shops of Maranello and Modena. One set of reports calls it a Ferrari Dino, another calls it the California GT and as of late, the third option is the Ferrari F149. Whatever it ends up being, Topspeed is reporting images of the new car will hit the web in just two weeks time. This means some outlets must have embargoed pictures — which means we'll probably be showing you shots later today after somebody jumps the gun and spills them all over upon seeing a story up saying the words "Ferrari F149." We all know how itchy those trigger fingers can become. But until then, we'll just have to be content to peek again at the spy photos of the Ferrari F149 / Dino / California Dreaming / Whatever and the knowledge that something is on it's way. We think. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=382596&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2009 BMW Z4 Reportedly To Come With Hard And Soft Top]]> We have it from our good friends at BMW Blog that they have it from their good friends that the 2009 BMW Z4 is going to come with both a soft and hardtop, similar to what Mazda does with the Miata. Those in sunny climates can have their lightweight softtop. Those in areas where the weather gets a bit rougher can opt for the hardtop. Abortions for some, tiny American flags for others. Horray! [Source: BMW Blog] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=378556&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2009 Pontiac G8 GXP Coming Soon? High Performance Pontiac Magazine Gives Us Their Wish List]]> The Pontiac G8 GT commercial we showed you very early this morning was good at tightening the pants of any auto lover with a joy for recreating classic 80's Midway games. But there's still been some criticism of the arrow-headed brand over their neglect of the stick as well as some who believe the General's "performance brand" may not be driving excitement as much as they'd wish it to be. Well, the rumor on the street — and by street we mean the web pages of High Performance Pontiac magazine — is that Pontiac will be looking to bring to market a Pontiac G8 GXP for the 2009 model year. They're speculating
"There is plenty of evidence out there hinting to a future G8 GXP, one with a more powerful V8 and maybe a six-speed manual."
In addition, they've got a list of what they'd like to see in an eventual GXP, which we've provided after the jump: More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=367925&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2010 Toyota Supra Super Speculation Scan Potential]]> Speculation is something that's never in short supply in the automotive business, an observation that seems doubly true in the case of the next gen Toyota Supra. First, the Toyota FT-HS was totally going to be it. Then someone tried to convince everyone the FT-HS was the next generation Toyota Celica or AE86. Most recently, a Toyota exec hinted that the FT-HS could be a vision for the "Toyota Supra of the future." Yeah, sure. Now everyone's favorite scanned Japanese automag, BestCar, has some renderings of a very FT-HS looking Supra. Grains of salt all around. One more scan below the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=367403&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2009 Dodge Challenger Production Details Emerge, You Want A Shaker Hood With That?]]> It's been almost a full day since we've posted on the 2009 Dodge Challenger, so we assume all of you are getting the shakes. According to our tipster, orders for the new Challenger can be placed starting next month (that's April) with a total of 45,000 initially built. This same source also claims that there will be a total of 40,000 rt/sxt models and 5,000 SRT8's built. Interestingly, the Challenger RT is supposed to get all of the color options and a shaker hood for those that want a classic RT look. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=365314&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Tata Considering Buying Stake In Ferrari, All Your Premium Automakers Are Belong To India]]> Not content to just sell the cheapest car, the Tata Nano, or to own the formerly imperial Jag and Land Rover, it's now rumored that Ratan Tata is interested in getting in bed with Ferrari (and we're not talking about a stripper from Paramus named Ferrari). Motor Authority has latched on to a quote from Italy's L'Espresso, wherein Ratan Tata says he'd always dreamed of being a jet fighter and/or owning a stake in Ferrari... like all normal children. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=365091&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Will The Mazda2 Come To The US Bearing Diesels?]]> As of late, it has looked as though the Mazda2 will not be making a visit to America, due mostly to the presence of the Ford Fiesta in the US market. We'd gotten close to accepting this and just moving on when Mazda once again piqued our interest. Jim O'Sullivan, head of Mazda North America, mentioned at a lunch with reporters that Mazda was maybe considering bringing diesel Mazda2's over here. Sort of. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=363179&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Desperately Seeking Supra, Toyota Exec Hints That FT-HS Could Be Next Supra]]> Toyota showed off its Toyota FT-HS concept without much in the way of explanation as to what exactly we were supposed to take from it. It's a high performance hybrid, sure. But is it the next Supra? The next Celica? WTF Toyota? To add a bit more confusion, Toyota's Australian project manager mentioned at the Australian debut of the concept that we should "think of it as a Prius on steroids. Alternately, it could be a vision for a Toyota Supra of the future." Could be, or is? Continue to fuel those Supra rumors Toyota. Press release for parsing below the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=361777&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Prius Based Lexus Wagon In The Works?]]> Seems the chairman of the #1 best automaker from the land of the rising sun, Ken Watanabe, liked our Maximum Wagon Day so much, he's creating a Lexus wagon from a next gen Prius. The amicable blokes over at the Trend which has to do with Motors are reporting Toyota will be bringing two dedicated hybrids to the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=360947&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[BMW X5 Twin Turbo Diesel Hybrid Concept Coming To Geneva, It's Happening... Maybe]]> It seems that the cat is out of the bag and we now think we know what BMW will be highlighting, eco-wise, at this year's Geneva Motor Show. You know all that pleading for more diesel hybrids? According to CarScoop, the boys and girls form Bavaria will be showing off the "Vision EfficeintDynamics" which will be better known as an X5 with a 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder mated to a hybrid system through an eight-speed automatic transmission. According to BMW, the system should apparently be good for 36.5 mpg (US) while still pulling the SUV to 62 mph in 8.9 seconds. The diesel engine produces 204 horsepower, but with help from the hybrid system achieves 224 horsepower and nearly 450 ft.-lb. of torque. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=359250&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Is Nissan Considering A GT-R Sedan For Infiniti?]]> The lads over at Motor Trend have it that Nissan is "studying the possibility" of a four-door GT-R for the Infiniti brand. This reminds us of the time Laura Berkalter was "studying the possibility" of going out with us. While it didn't work it out with Laura, this is a rumor that might have legs. The sedan could carry over a lot of the components from the current GT-R, such as the twin-turbo V6, AWD setup and transmission. As the price could easily be in excess of $80,0000, making it an Infiniti is the only easy way to avoid the Phaeton syndrome. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=358590&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Dodge Viper Is Dead: In Lieu Of Flowers, Please Send R&D Funds]]> Who would win in a fight between a 3-headed hell hound and a snake? In a case important to a great number of high-horsepower-lovin' enthusiasts, it appears it's going to be Satan's canine.
More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=354292&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Subaru To Build Next Toyota Celica?]]> Those missing the RWD Celica's of yore can take hold of some gossip based on a rumor about the dead coupe getting revived with some mechanicals from the Subie parts bin. Going chronologically, the exciting gossip last August was that Toyota was going to use its new stake in Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru) to help it build a small RWD Coupe, which everyone took to mean a new Toyota Corolla AE86. Now AutoWeek.nl has it that the rumored AE86 might be a suspected Celica. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=352301&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Could Phaeton Be Making A Return To The US?]]> Many Jalopers have a special place in their heart for W12 Volkswagen Phaeton (and we know a certain journalist with a pair of V8 Phaetons). And while we like the Passat CC up close, it doesn't move us in the same way. So that makes us happy to hear that Motor Authority is reporting that VW's chief Stefan Jacoby mentioned that it was a mistake to end the Phaeton in North America and that it could make a return. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=351538&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Jerry Seinfeld And Jay Leno To Host American Top Gear? Call Us Skeptical]]> The Top Gear gossip of the day is that Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld could be hosting the American version of the show destined for US airwaves in the next couple of years. We call bollocks. The whole rumor is built upon so much circumstantial evidence that we're a little shocked it didn't come from us. We break down the report from Inside Line below the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=351218&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Will This Be The Next GT-R Spec V?]]> The new Nissan GT-R has barely been out long enough for idiots to start crashing them, and people are already thinking about the first R35 GT-R Spec V. Previously, we brought you possible GT-R Spec V pics and now we think we know where some of them are coming from. The folks at Best Car are rendering for their readers what they hope Nissan will render unto them. Besides the carbon fiber goodies, the car should get a revised suspension, less weight and tweaks to the AWD system. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=349627&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Audi A5 Sportback Possibly in Works]]> AutoBild is reporting (in German) that in calendar week 13 of 2009, Audi has a new model in the werks dubbed the A5 Sportback. Little is known about this possible new offering, but Autobild is going against the prevailing wisdom that the Sportback will be a wagon-like offering, saying it will compete in the emerging swoopy sedan category currently populated by the Mercedes CLS, pending Porsche Panamera and recently revealed Volkswagen Passat CC. While we're on the subject of the Passat CC, if this speculation is accurate, we're thinking this is V-Dub doing it's platform prostitution best with that new curvy roof line. We'll keep our ear to the ground for more details. [Autobild [translated] via Germancarblog] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=348809&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Is The Ford Transit Connect Coming To The Chicago Auto Show?]]> All of a sudden, the Chicago Auto Show is the happening place to debut the latest rides. The most recent rumor is that Ford will be bringing their european Transit Connect van to the Second City (the Transit XPress is pictured). The gossip is coming from The Car Connection, which reports that the FWD van will come with a four-cylinder engine and five-passenger seating to be marketed against the Dodge Sprinter. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=348118&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Could This Be The 2012 Mazda RX-9?]]> The illustrator's over at Winding Road have been having fun with a possible future RX-9 based on previous concepts such as the Mazda Nagare. Their guesstimation picks up some of the Nagare aft of the A-pillar, with a modernization of lines from the current generation RX-8 and last generation RX-7 in the rear. As for under the hood, guesses range from a modified Renesis to something as out-of-character as a V8. But before you rotorheads get up in arms, remember this is all just educated dart throwing. [WindingRoad] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=339216&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Loose-Lipped Lexus Lovers Claim LF-A Laps Nurburgring In Record Time]]> File this gossip under T for "Toyota REFUSES to be shown up by the Nissan GT-R." According to World Car Fans, Auto Express and Japanese car mag Holiday Auto are claiming that the new 552 horsepower Lexus LF-A has set a record lap around the Nurburgring at somewhere around 7 minutes and 24 seconds, which should top times set by the Pagani Zonda F and the Porsche 911 GT2 of 7:27 and 7:32/7:25, respectively. This is still all a rumor and has probably followed the same telephone tree that gave us the teacher's strike and purple monkey dishwasher. [World Car Fans] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=338687&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Tata Could Win Bid For Jaguar and Land Rover Today... Or Much Much Later]]> Though there are reports that Tata will announce winning the bid for Jaguar and Land Rover today, we tend to believe those that say the company is merely going to get "preferred-bidder status," meaning that Tata will get the bid unless negotiations falter. Also, it's kind of a big story so unless Ford is trying to bury the news we'd think they'd announce the deal in the new year. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=336665&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Fast Lane Daily Claims No Widespread Hybrid Adoption By Porsche]]> The crew that provides Lanes as Fast and Daily as possible is reporting on a rumor that Porsche will not be taking the technology from its Cayenne Hybrid, due out around 2010, and applying it to the Panamera executive sports sedan. This is due mostly to the fact that Porsche is pessimistic about the market for hybrids in America. Oh, and we also found out that even photos of beer and sausage make us hungry. [Fast Lane Daily] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=335352&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Volvo To Cancel Second Gen XC90, No XOXO XC?]]> The Swedes (who are now more dangerous than ze Germans) over at Auto Motor Sport Sweden have it on some authority that Volvo's XC90 is going to get the axe, despite a planned facelift in 2009. They claim the decision is due to the increased cost needed to keep weight down, absence of new engines/transmissions and the lack of hybrid technology. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=334823&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Is the Mazda Atenza Mazdaspeed Concept the next Mazdaspeed6?]]> Though there have been rumors that Mazda would not be adding extra Zoom Zoom to its Atenza/Mazda6 sedan, we now have these pictures of what's being called the "Mazda Atenza Mazdaspeed Concept," which is set for a debut at the 2008 Tokyo Auto Salon. Compared to the stock Mazda 6/Atenza, the body kit is sporty but not over dramatic with new skirts, a lower ride height and revised front/rear bumpers. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=334107&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ferrari SUV on the Far Horizon?]]> Don't go getting you're panties in a bunch just yet, but rumors have been flying around the net lately about a new SUV concept being worked up to join the rest of the Italians in the Ferrari stable. The name given to this blasphemy against the name of Ferrari at this point is FS 599 Fuoristrada. Yes, the 599 denotes the engine stolen from the 599 GTB Fiorano already in the lineup. Things are so sketchy at this point that all the artists' renderings floating about that are complete flights of fancy. One is a sort of modernized hairy-chested study of the Testarossa, the other harkens back to the good old days of racing, yet another is closer to the design language of the Enzo and Fiorano. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=331039&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Over the Back Fence: BMW to Build New Isetta Minicar?]]> We're pretty sure there won't be a Hayabusa mill to perform miracles of speed. But the latest from the UK rumor mill is BMW's bringing back the Isetta, the popular econo-egg from the 1950s — created by Italy's Iso and popularized by BMW — that grabbed a generation of cosmopolitan Europeans by the lapels and screamed Holen Sie innen das rollende Ei, dumbkauf!. It may not comprise a new brand, but BMW could use a high-mileage minicar to offset the low end of its fleet-mileage average. Launching an Isetta-tagged minicar might be the company's ticket to complianceville. Of course, the new model won't likely get the same 12-hp engine as the original, nor be dubbed "rolling coffin" by apprehensive car buyers. Bosses have yet to confirm such a car is in the pipeline, but AutoExpress speculates 2010 might be the date. [AutoExpress] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=327282&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[KITT to be Cast as a Ford Mustang in New Knight Rider Series?]]> UPDATE:It's a Mustang! We've got exclusive first pictures of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR playing KITT!That's what we're hearing anyway. Although this may seem as rumortastic as they come, we feel our source is solid — he's a loyal Jalopnik reader with a validated connection to an LA FX studio working on the pilot for the new Knight Rider TV show. Our source is claiming he's got it on good authority that KITT's gonna be a Ford Mustang. Hey, maybe that takes care of that whole Mustang variant issue for 2009, right? In fact, maybe KITT'll even be a Roush Blackjack like the one p-shopped above and in the gallery below. We don't know — but we're going to do some investigating.
More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=327175&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Will The 2009 Ford Mustang Go To Mach 1... Or Just Be The Boss?]]> According to the ever-evolving pony car watchers at MustangEvolution.com, fans of the muscular Mustang are trying to figure out what Ford will offer up to keep their promise of a special ed(ition) Mustang each year until the next re-design. As we're not expecting to see the new 'stang any time before 2010, our guess and theirs is we'll be seeing... More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=326707&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Over the Back Fence: More on the New, Bi-Turbo Audi S4]]> Earlier this month, Fourtitude speculated on Audi's returning to a bi-turbo V6 setup to the next S4. Now, AudiWorld says they've confirmed with unnamed insiders the next S4 will debut with a new 3.0-liter TFSI twin-turbo producing 330 horsepower. Despite a 10-horsepower drop, they say zero-to-60 times will fall from the current model's 5.4 seconds into the low five-second range, all with a fuel-economy gain from 17 mpg to over 20 mpg. And aside from besting the BMW 335i, the return to the turbo six means tuners will have a wider range of options for making even more horsepower. The new, B8-platform model will also get Audi's new vectoring quattro-drive system, which will allow on-the-fly torque allocation to all four wheels. No word on price, but expect an auspicious, champagne-soaked debut at the New York Auto Show in April '08. [AudiWorld] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=324244&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Subaru Sketch: Forester? Outback? An Impossible Dream?]]> Maybe we're tilting at windmills, but mightn't this be the next from the Subaru skunk works? Maybe, but the sketch remains unidentified, as found on the North American Subaru Impreza Owners' Club boards. Speculation ranges from the next Forester to a future Outback. Whatever it is — and it could be nothing more than fan fiction — the styling direction transcends the latest Impreza's awkwardness in a big way. [NASIOC via Carscoop] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=322487&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Over the Back Fence: BMW Talk from South Carolina]]> A bit of advice to automakers' test engineers. Don't go blabbing top-secret info to the neighbors at your kids' soccer games. The Jalopnik readership encompasses many covert types, who are quick with an e-mail to the tips line. Today's back fence comes from a reader in South Carolina, who says he has some insider dish on the coming BMW X6. Following are are the gossipy points, bulleted for your subjection:
  • Several pre-production prototypes being built per week
More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=318362&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Say It Ain't So: Ford to Axe Crown Vic, Report Says]]> No matter that its dated appearance at Ford's auto show displays made it look like someone's grandfather was visiting — and had parked his car in the living room. The Crown Victoria is the last expression of a construct dating to the Eisenhower administration, and according to Ward's Auto, one soon to be mothballed. Ford's large, rear-drive municipal cruiser — Ward's sources say — will be eliminated from consumer lots the 2008 model year. Word is, it'll still be sold as a fleet car after that, though no word on whether it'll get a rumored style freshening. Send all condolences to The Society for The Preservation of 1979. (Thanks to Dave for the tip.) [Ward's Auto] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=317629&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Who Are You? VW, Pete Townsend to Team Up on New Minivan Marketing]]> It's a match made somewhere on the Hamburg circuit, circa 1963. The Who's beak-schnozed, windmilling wonder Pete Townsend and Volkswagen, says the UK's AutoExpress, will team up on marketing V-dub's new bus, the long-awaited production successor to the 2001 Microbus concept. Expect to be regaled with The Who's "Magic Bus" as VW launches a media blitz for the new minivan, due in 2008, reportedly co-developed with Chrysler. But don't expect it to mimic the concept; word is the new bus has been reconsidered, though still decidedly retro looking. Insert hash-smogging, Portland-area hippie joke here. [AutoExpress via German Car Blog] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=313385&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Engine Swap of the Day: Veyron-Powered Bentley Arnage]]> From the "if it exists it will be done" department, the UK's Autocar reports Bentley's worked up an Arnage powered by the Bugatti Veyron's quad-turbo W16. Just a prototype for now, the 987-hp Bentgatti is the reported brainchild of Bentley chief (and Bugatti president) Franz-Josef Paefgen. No word on whether it's merely a show car or if Bentley has a production plan in place, though as Autocar points out, a W16 Arnage would be the ultimate luxury car and trophy purchase for the world's viscounts and bond traders. We also hear traction is managed by a giant mechanical hand that launches out of a volcano in Fiji. [Autocar] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=311748&view=rss&microfeed=true