pow

Werd. A6 Avants, V70s, E-class Estates, and 5-series Tourings are some of the classiest mommobiles around.

Michael Schumacher as an F430, surrounded by Maserati Quattroporte body guards? Gotta love Luigi the most, though...

You mean it's not???

Maybe something like this Honda ad... "Hate Something, Change Something" (Diesel)

Camaro FTW~!~!!!~z (Seriously, though)

The interior looks fab. I like it more than the Corvette's,

Yes, two-modes are limited to 10k units for 2008. Considering there are 4,000 Chevy dealers, that's 2.5 per dealer, assuming everyone buys the Tahoe or Silverado, not the Yukon. Still, 10k is greater than total retail sales of all BAS light-hybrids, so it's progress.

Zeta can be beneficial to fuel economy, if it displaces full-size truck and SUV sales. But I doubt creating additional Zeta passenger cars - that don't fulfill the perceived role of trucks - will do any good for fuel economy and justify Zeta's existence. I'm fine with a Cadillac flagship, because it could employ costly fuel-saving technology, and the Camaro is in GM's modern DNA, but a Zeta Caprice, Park Avenue, and Riviera seem unnecessary, especially if there's a similar Cadillac, as Northstar noted. A next-generation LaCrosse Coupe could be a Riviera, if well executed, and a LWB Epsilon II could be the Park Avenue.

They're not mutually exclusive. Our 528i has interior surfaces that are pleasing to both the eye and the touch, even after 97k miles. I think that's the difference between "quality" and "perceived quality." The previous-gen Passat's interior isn't as lovely or durable, but it's less than half the price of the BMW, and when it came out in 1998 and refreshed in 2001.5, it was class-leading. Back to the G8, I'm fine with the interior design - it's linear and clean and professional looking, not a blobby mass of ill-fitting shapes and lines, like with the Grand Prix. It might be somber, but at least it's not trashy. It's hard to get any worse than this...

If that ever happens, it's interesting how we're reverting back to the RWD wagon (think Roadmaster), after all these years of big SUVs. These Zeta crossover/wagons will be for current Tahoe buyers who tow; Lambdas can do everything else. Zeta "pickup" : Zeta crossover/wagon :: Silverado : Tahoe edit - Also, is the Zeta platform AWD compatible? edit 2 - The only thing I'm not sure of is the Caprice; I don't know if there's a market for a non-luxury RWD big sedan.

Interesting... so in essence, a Zeta pickup would replace Silverados currently used by those who find truck attributes appealing, but only occasionally use the bed or tow. GM must do a good job making this alternative compelling, by endowing it with the style, utilitarianism, and image of a truck, and they will have to educate buyers to rethink their choices. In many ways, it's similar to Ford's upcoming push to position EcoBoost engines as a replacement for larger-displacement engines: the product is suitable, but consumers are unfamiliar with it. GM could utilize their durability expertise on Zeta, and who knows, maybe consumers will gravitate towards the improved comfort, refinement, fuel economy, and handling... meanwhile, only those who need the capabilities of an HD truck will buy an HD truck.

Sweet. EcoBoost/TSI/downsized-turbocharged-engines are immediate, near-term, and inexpensive technologies that increase fuel economy. In the UK, Volkswagen has replaced their range of 1.6- and 2.0-liter gas engines in the Golf, with 1.4-liter TSI engines in varying amounts of power - 120 hp, 138 hp, and 168 hp. The latter two engines have superchargers in addition to turbochargers and direct injection; the 168 hp version is particularly well-suited to replace the common 2.4 liter base engine in US midsizers. The 120 hp version has a 7-speed DSG and approaches near-diesel levels of fuel economy.

59 high, 41 low... it's drizzling

38 mpg on the European cycle is with the current naturally-aspirated 90 PS engine. The turbocharged version might be a bit worse. AutoblogGreen's initial driving impressions:

Driver of BMW in fatal crash sought Web advice on making it go faster BY RICK CUNDIFF Star-Banner *******>********> (Updated at 1:30 p.m.) OCALA - Less than 12 hours before he died, Joshua Ammirato was posting messages on an Internet message board seeking advice about how to drive his 2008 BMW M5 faster. Ammirato, 18, logged onto M5board.com Thursday and Friday, asking other M5 drivers how to shift smoother in the 500-horsepower machine. "The problem is when I'm going pedal to the metal pushing 140 and upshifting, there tends to be thud noise with the gear change," he wrote in one post. Ammirato and four other young Marion County men were killed at about 3:45 a.m. Saturday, when the BMW M5 he was driving sailed off the end of the Greystone airstrip in Anthony and crashed into a tree. Messages on the board devoted to M5 enthusiasts show Ammirato logged on shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday as "AmericanM5." "Let me say I am beginner when it comes to high performance cars as I am only 18 so take it easy on me," he wrote. Other members of the board expressed skepticism that Ammirato could have a car with a base price of $82,900 at such a young age, but warned him to take it easy until he gained more driving experience. "Maybe your 2 years driving experience in your whole life is the problem," one member wrote. "The fact that I never drove a manual car before may be true, but I've been driving for a lot longer than two years buddy," Ammirato responded. Ammirato's M5, according to his posts, was equipped with a "sequential manual gearbox," which shifts like a traditional manual transmission, but without a clutch pedal. Automobile Magazine has described the M5 as "a fearfully intimidating machine," with writer Michael Jordan adding "we've found that the SMG transmission ... makes you feel like a victim of speed, not its master." Ammirato told forum members he'd had the car for about three weeks. The vehicle is registered to his father, Santo Ammirato, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. In his posts, Joshua Ammirato listed his other cars as a 2008 BMW 535i, a 2007 BMW 335i and a 2007 Cadillac Escalade. All have less horsepower than the M5. News of Ammirato's death drew condolences from forum members on Saturday and Sunday. "My prayers are with Josh and his family as well. Being that I am 21 and going on my second M5 I know the temptation is great and sometimes hard to handle at that age," one member wrote. "This is a very serious car with extraordinary performance, i have learned to respect it because there is a VERY, VERY thin line between losing it and keeping it on the road." Another hoped others would learn from the tragedy. "Truly a sad, sad event. May God be with the families and friends," the poster wrote. "Hope that they have not died completely in vain -- that many young drivers (and their parents) will take this to heart and learn from it." Ammirato asked forum members on Friday about turning off the M5's electronic stability control for higher performance. A member wrote back with concern. "With all (due) respect, gradually learn your car before you turn off (stability control)," he wrote. "With a little mistake combination of your mind and your right foot, you can be history. Be safe and enjoy. "P.S. People on this board care about each other, especially when someone owns 500 hp car at age of 18. Don't take it personal. We all watch each other(s) back." Another member expressed concern about Ammirato's maturity. "t's just disturbing to know, if you're for real, that an 18 year old who is asking these questions about a 500hp car is driving the same streets I am. I don't have anything against young guys driving nice cars, but an 18 year old behind the wheel of an M5 is what accidents are made of," he wrote. Ammirato responded at 5:33 p.m. Friday that he was responsible. "I completely understand where you are coming from assuming that I am irresponsible ... that is definitely understandable. I do sometimes make bad decisions but I am young and I do drive safe and I will not endanger the lives of others." A member from Australia again cautioned Ammirato to be careful. "My only bit of advice matey -- If you crash in a big way expect to be on the news," he wrote. "Enjoy and resist the temptation to drag others at the lights." Ammirato responded, in his last post, at 9:02 p.m. Friday. "Thanks guys, don't get me wrong I never said I didn't respect your wisdom," he wrote. "[T]hanks for the welcome and I am looking forward to getting to know you guys better ... Josh."

I was in Macau two weeks ago - the Chinese equivalent of Las Vegas; they have MGM, Wynn, Venetian, and so on - and decided to try my luck on gambling. I put in 30 "dollars", pushed a few buttons, and after two minutes, I used up my money and won 30 "cents". I sorta gave up after that. Thankfully one Macanese "dollar" - a pataca - is 12 US cents..

Toyota sold initial Priuses at a loss, but at $20K demand remained high and constant, and now they've sold a million of them.

Driving through WeHo, it seems like Fords are very well represented: lots of Range Rovers, LR3s, XKs, XJ8s, all sorts of Volvos, Escape Hybrids, and Mariners.

Also, does anyone know the percentage of compact trucks sold that are regular cabs? I noticed that a bench seat option isn't available on the Ute, limiting seating to 2.

If the ST is similar to the Ute, here's how they'll compare... Omega Ute Manual / Colorado Regular Cab 2.9 Manual Box length: 73.9" / 72.8" Box width: 57.2" / 57.2" Box width, wells: 47.5" / 42.6" Box height: 19.7" / 18.6" Box opening: 49.4" / 52.4" Engine: 3.6L V-6 / 2.9L I-4 Horsepower: 265 / 185 Torque, lb-ft: 251 / 190 Transmission: 6M / 5M Fuel economy: 17/25 (G8 V6 auto) / 18/24 Curb weight, lbs: 3772 / 3303 Payload, lbs: 1709 / 1547 Towing, lbs: 3527 / 2400 The G8 starts at $27,595, well-equipped; I don't know how profitable it is. A base Colorado is $15,570, with absolutely no equipment. I'd imagine there will be a "work truck" version of the ST, with 16-in steel wheels.

I think fuel economy is key to whether or not a car-based pickup, like the ST, would sell. A V6 should definitely be available, and if it can get the same 17/25 mpg as the G8 V6, that will be impressive for a relatively heavy, V6-powered truck. Hopefully we'll eventually see a more efficient DI 2.8, mated to a six-speed, or a clean diesel.

Edmunds: 19.3 mpg, combined C&D: 18 mpg, combined, 70 miles USA Today: 18.2 mpg, combined, 250 miles Motor Trend: 17.7 mpg city "first drive", 18.2 over three tankfuls, combined Granted the rags don't pay for their own fuel, so the capabilities they're interested in are likely speed and power, not economy. Hybrids respond well to a different driving style. Here's a more real-world, prospective-buyer/driver example from the GreenHybrid.com forum; a GM engineer invited a current Escape Hybrid owner for a test drive.

Back to the vehicle again - Edmunds limiting their drive route to only city driving would've resulted in poorer mileage, because the point of a dual-mode hybrid is a direct mechanical path of electricity through a set of fixed gears (the second mode). Unlike most full hybrids, the Tahoe Hybrid actually gets slightly better fuel economy on the highway.

And I quote...

Did they comment on the Malibu's interior space/ergonomics?