If you read our review of the 2011 Buick Regal, it was pretty plain to see we liked the car a lot. It's probably the most fun, nicest-looking, sporty FWD mid-size sedan in the market. And we're saying that about a Buick, not an Acura TSX or Mazda6.

The Regal is more or less exactly the same as the Euro-spec Opel Insignia, which means by commutative property, since we like the Regal, we like the Opel Insignia. When GM takes that enjoyable, 220 HP front wheel drive car and puts a stonkin' 325 HP, 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 with a six speed manual and a Haldex all-wheel-drive system in it capable of rear-axle torque vectoring, it's a fair bet we'll be giddy with excitement. Then they add 14-inch (front) Brembo binders, Recaro bucket seats, 20 inch wheels and body work so aggressive it makes one's inner hoon squeal. GM brought one along during the Regal drive and let us have a crack at it.

It might not be the fastest, hardest cornering, most extreme factory tuner in the world, but God damn it looks good. This could have the three-cylinder wheeze-fest from an old Geo Metro and we'd still want to roll around naked on it. That's not to say it isn't fast, 0-60 MPH takes 5.8 seconds, which is impressive for a car that weighs 3,990 Lbs.

But lifting off the accelerator is a high crime. Maybe it's the super-grippy Recaro buckets, the Darth Vader meets Tron interior graphics or the knowledge that you're driving one of the only OPC's to ever grace these shores, but you can't help but drop the transmission down a couple cogs and obliterate the speed limit with dangerous regularity. It's easy to find oneself hunting for even the slightest bend in the road to exaggerate into a high speed corner. The car's good, but more importantly, it's involving.

The OPC bases much of its greasy bits on the Saab 9-3 Turbo X powertrain, though it's tuned to a higher level, it makes many of the same moves. That Saab had only 280 HP, but the torque vectoring AWD system is identical.

Compared to the Regal, the Insignia OPC is more of a boy racer, such things are obvious based on the obnoxious body work and giant wheels, but it lives at an interesting intersection of hooligan and grown up. The car is tighter in corners, but doesn't punish you over jarring bumps, turn-in is faster, but it isn't tiresome. Should you lose your mind and want a more sedate experience, you can turn the car down a couple notches with three different suspension settings, each progressively softer until its throttle response and damping rate is rather pedestrian.

The fact that GM brought this car to a Buick Regal media launch is not a signal lost on us. We aren't saying GM is preparing a version for the United States, but the shoulder shrugs and veiled smirks from GM engineers say they're at least thinking about it. Although there was much talk of the letters "G," "N," and "X" but none of it coming from anyone wearing a GM badge — and unfortunately, GM's CEO's already nixed the idea. Still, a car fan-boy can dream, can't we?

This is the second version of the Honda CRZ concept, but it's well on the way to being an actual production car which we'll see debuted at the 2010 Detoit Auto Show. The preternaturally lovable two-seater will be making a return by the fall of 2010 and hopefully make us remember why loved old Hondas so long ago. The CRZ is planned as another dedicated hybrid from Honda, but this time it'll get the twist of a six speed manual transmission. We're be particularly interested to see how that whole system will shake out when it goes from concept to production.

Honda CR-Z Concept 2009 Makes World Debut at the Tokyo Motor Show

Honda today debuted the much-anticipated CR-Z Concept 2009, the second concept version of the stylish, sporty hybrid coupe, at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show. While the vehicle displayed at the show is a global concept with a rear seat, the production version that will be introduced to North America in the second half of 2010 will be packaged as a sporty, 2-seat hybrid that provides a personal driving experience for North American customers.

"The Honda CR-Z will expand our lineup of hybrid vehicles and reinforce the fun-to-drive values associated with the Honda brand," said Erik Berkman, vice president of Automobile Corporate Planning and Logistics for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Beyond great styling and features, CR-Z will bring new levels of engagement and fun to customers interested a small car or a hybrid vehicle."

CR-Z will join the Insight and Civic Hybrid in the Honda hybrid lineup, each offering distinct benefits. Civic Hybrid, launched in 2003, was Honda's first mainstream model to feature hybrid power. The 2010 Insight, introduced in March 2009, ushered in a new era of affordability for a hybrid family sedan. The CR-Z will break new ground as a sporty, hybrid coupe with unique value.

The production version of the Honda CR-Z will make its world debut at the January 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

This vehicle, set to be produced at the Chattanooga VW plant, will be one of the main vehicles built in America for the American market. Cleverly, Volkswagen is calling the new vehicle the New Mid-Size Sedan (NMS). This could be the vehicle to move the brand firmly into the mid-size, near-premium segment. Already, the 2009 Volkswagen CC is preparing buyers for the idea of an expensive and more luxurious VW.

As for the name, we imagine NMS will get dropped in favor of some obscure wind. What about the VW Chinook? The strong lines and greenhouse suggest more Audi than VW and the kink in the C-pillar makes us wonder if they're not trying to hint at RWD or, instead, just carrying over a common VW design element. We'll certainly be following this car closely over the coming two years.

[WRCB-TV via AutoBlog]

According to CarTop, the 2011 Infiniti GT-R would use a stretched version of the GT-R's chassis, complete with its whiz-bang AWD system, a tuned version of the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 producing nearly 500 HP, and share the same Xtronic CVT. Pricing would be about 20% higher, bringing the sedan in at around $85,000 (before speculation) on this side of the Pacific.

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: This is probably just idle speculation. But, think of the possibility! Such a sedan would give Infiniti the range-topper it desperately needs, capable of defeating cars like the 2011 BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG on their own turf, the 'Ring. A less aggressively styled four-door could be the ultimate Q-car and finally propel Nissan's luxury brand into direct competition with the Germans while simultaneously leaving Lexus to eat its dust. On the other hand, remember what happened the last time Nissan stretched its supercar chassis, added two doors and installed an Infiniti badge? The thirsty, cramped, and unspectacular J30.
[via Nihon Car and GT Channel]

Car Magazine, which snapped these shots, is reporting that the 2011 M5 will gain a breathed-on version of the BMW X6's 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 producing a whopping 540 HP. Why? The current V10, despised by some but loved by others for its quirky rev-happy nature, will only meet emissions regulations for two more years. If the big V8 does find its way into the M5, expect a much lower revving, torquier drive. The magazine also reports that the M5 is likely to be manumatic only, which doesn't come as a surprise, but is still pretty disappointing. [via Car Magazine]

"This is a market that nobody is going to be in for at least three of four years. We're going to be able to give small businesses a truck that can get 30 to 35 miles-per-gallon, and with a diesel engine that's durable. It's a $40,000 truck that we're going to sell in the mid-$20,000s. This is not Chinese junk."

First of all, as we made clear above it'll not only be a diesel pickup, it'll be a hybrid diesel pickup and it's coming in 2010. Secondly, it's got a name — the Mahindra Appalachian and it's based off the Mahindra mid-sized truck currently available on the sub-continent — and which we showed in heavily-modified form last month. Head on over to PickupTruck.com to get the rest of the details. [PickupTruck.com]

[via Motor Authority]

Related:
Over the Back Fence: Cadillac BRX Coming in 2009; BLS to the US [internal]

Mainstream Mustangs [AutoWeek]

Related:
Updated Mustang for 2009, New Generation for 2012? [internal]

Rabid lovers of Honda's rapid S2000 roadster can relax — their beloveds won't be changing anytime soon. UK's Autocar today reports Honda won't be replacing its S2000 roadster with some tarted-up V10-powered monster quite yet. In fact, though rumors (and April Fools' stories) indicated some manner of S2000 replacement was at hand, Honda says they're still eyeballing preliminary sketches, meaning a finished product won't emerge from the studio until next decade — likely around 2011. A less-comprehensive overhaul could shorten that timeline somewhat.

WILL HONDA REPLACE THE S2000? [Pistonheads]

Related:
Death to the S2000, Viva XGA! [internal]