Flybrian

Eight speeds and a more voluptuous look? by Brenda Priddy | (2007-07-16) | Link to Original Article @ TCC A refreshed BMW 7-Series is undergoing testing, and TheCarConnection.com's spies have nabbed it a year before it goes on sale. We're expecting the new 7-Series to have a completely new front end, similar to the 6-Series styling, and sources say the current model's extravagant design will be toned down quite a bit. The sedan should have a more elegant look than ever before. The position of the headlights and turn signals indicate low-mounted, wrap-around headlights and a wide grille, as well as a sleeker body and a more dramatic overall appearance. In addition to the exterior updates, BMW will be introducing a new version of iDrive and, rumor has it, an eight-speed transmission. The new 7-series is not expected to be released until sometime during the 2008 calendar year, and will arrive as a 2009 model.

GM seals Opel deal with Serbia's Zastava Link to Original Article @ The Auto Channel BELGRADE, July 17, 2007; Reuters reported that General Motors Corp. has agreed a deal with Serbia's Zastava for the local production of Opel vehicles, sources close to the deal told Reuters on Tuesday. Germany-based Opel is part of the GM group. The cars would be assembled in Zastava's complex in Kragujevac, central Serbia. "They will sign on Thursday," one source told Reuters. "The production of the first Opel Astra vehicles is expected to start in 2008," the source said. A second source close to the negotiations also confirmed the deal to Reuters.

Fuel mileage fears doom Chrysler Imperial Link to Original Article @ DetNews Chrysler, the fourth-largest U.S. automaker, dropped plans for the new Imperial luxury sedan because of rising gasoline prices and tougher fuel-economy regulations, Bloomberg News and the Windsor Star reported today. Executives made the decision within the past few weeks, Chrysler spokesman Ed Saenz told Bloomberg today. The Auburn Hills-based automaker unveiled the Imperial two years ago and had planned to start production in 2009 in Brampton, Ontario. "There was no business case for us to bring it to the market," Saenz said. "We will continue to look for a future product for the plant." The decision won't affect any of the factory's 3,500 jobs, he said.

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You need to go to the auto show with all that and a walker and say how great it is Toyota built an entire car division geared towards seniors!

Diesels challenge hybrids Poll shows consumer interest in diesel engines is rising while buyers considering hybrids are down Christine Tierney | Link to Original Article @ The Detroit News Enthusiasm for gas-electric hybrid vehicles dipped among prospective car buyers during the past year, while interest in new, cleaner diesels was rising, according to a survey issued Monday. The poll conducted by J.D. Power and Associates found that 50 percent of prospective car buyers are considering a hybrid, down from 57 percent a year earlier. "In the 2006 study, we found consumers often overestimated the fuel-efficiency of hybrid electric vehicles, and the decrease in consideration of hybrids in 2007 may be a result of their more realistic understanding of the actual fuel economy," said Mike Marshall, director of automotive emerging technologies at J.D. Power. By contrast, the arrival of cleaner diesel-powered vehicles with new emission-lowering technology has heightened interest in this category, he said. Twenty-three percent of respondents said they were considering a diesel, up from 12 percent in 2006. "Part of it is media-driven," said Chrysler spokesman Jason Vines. "Diesels are finally catching on." He said consumers were growing aware of the popularity of diesels in Europe, where they account for half of new car sales, and where advanced technology has reduced emissions and soot. Diesels vs. hybrids Diesel-powered vehicles are about 30 percent more fuel-efficient than equivalent gas-powered cars. Hybrids also offer greater fuel economy but consumers have complained that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ratings overstate the mileage for some hybrids. The competition between hybrids and diesels pits two national industries against each other: Germany's automakers are the leading manufacturer of diesel-powered vehicles, while the Japanese have pioneered hybrids. Combined, diesel and hybrid sales account for less than 5 percent of U.S. auto sales. So far this year, about 150,000 hybrids and around 250,000 diesel-powered cars and light trucks have been sold in the United States. In recent years, DaimlerChrysler AG tried to market diesels in the United States as an alternative to hybrids. But in 2004, it teamed up with General Motors Corp. to develop hybrids. "We've always had the belief you can't put all your eggs in one basket," Vines said. "This is a very complex marketplace." Engines are costly to build Consumers considering alternative powertrains were willing to pay more, but not always enough to cover the costs incurred by auto manufacturers. Diesel engines cost more to build than conventional gas-powered engines, and the costs are rising because of stricter U.S. emission standards. Hybrids, with dual powertrains and expensive batteries, also are costly to build. Shoppers considering hybrids were willing to pay $2,396 more, on average, for a hybrid, while potential diesel car buyers would be willing to pay an additional $1,491, according to the study. Earlier this year, when Toyota Motor Corp. offered incentives for the first time on its popular Prius hybrid, its executives said the market had evolved to include more mainstream buyers. Incentives on hybrid vehicles range from $100 on the new Camry hybrid and $880 on the Ford Mariner hybrid to $2,207 on the gas-electric Accord, which is going to be phased out of production, and $3,200 on the Toyota Highlander hybrid SUV. Toyota expects hybrid sales in the United States to rise to 250,000 this year from less than 200,000 last year.

2008 Malibu Begins Production in Three Months Job One for the new Chevrolet Malibu is scheduled for Monday, October 15th Every Chevrolet dealer should have at least one new Malibu in stock by the middle of January. The current Malibu will be renamed "Classic" and have a short 2008 model year production run. It will only be available to fleet and rental customers. The "Classic" will only be available as a 4 door sedan as the Malibu Maxx is now discontinued. Pricing has not been announced.

Are you referring to Buickman?

They're probably on a smallish server that got slammed by a eleventybillion redirected hits from here and all the other forums.

I was thinking that, too, but if you listen to him again and realize he was truly speaking extemporaneously and off-the-cuff, I think the message was, "I know you guys want diesels in everything. We can't do it for a multitude of reason and even if we did, we would still have an emissions/fuel economy problem. Diesels alone will not solve out problems and are not the best fit for every single car. But in applications that demand Diesels, we will fill them. And if we make something, you'd better believe GM will be #1."

Hey, I like the HHR! Though perhaps not 'luxurious' enough for some, its certainly worlds beyond the PT Cruiser, which is pretty bottom-of-the-barrel in terms of general construction. HHR strikes me as far more substantial and just a more handsome vehicle and I wouldn't mind one at all, especially a dark blue one with the chrome package. And congratulations on the car, sir! And last car? Well, I certainly hope you'll look back one day and say to your wife, "Remember that old HHR?"

Prototype of the Volt gets tryout The Chevrolet Volt concept has hit the road -- in Massachusetts, at least By Justin Hyde | July 15, 2007 | Link to Original Article @ Detroit Free Press David Vieau, the chief executive of battery maker A123 Systems, said during a congressional hearing Thursday that the company's employees recently had driven the Volt, General Motors Corp.'s attempt to regain an environmental mantle. A123 is one of the companies developing lithium-ion batteries for the Volt, which is designed to travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone and up to 640 miles on 12 gallons of gasoline. GM has said the Volt could arrive in dealerships within the next five years, depending on how fast the technology develops. GM spokesman Brian Corbett said the Volts driven by A123 and others are rough prototypes, similar to concept cars. The next generation of Volt prototypes, which will closely mimic a production model, aren't expected until later this year or early next year. --------------------- Yesterday, the Sentate Finance Committee, subcomittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure heard testimony from some of of the leading people of the electric car/ Chevy Volt movement. These included David Vieau of A123 systems and Martin Eberhard of Tesla Motors. The main thrust of the testimony was to persuade the committee to continue to give grants and credits to automakers and battery makers to help them continue the inevitable drive towards electric vehicle adoption. Also on the agenda was to support continuing tax credits for consumers who choose to purchase these cars. David Vieau specifically mentioned the cost of $10,000 for the 40 mile Volt battery pack, the prototype of which can be currently installed into Prius’s. Tax credits remain an important tool in promoting widespread consumer adoption of electric cars, considering their increased cost. They will also help allay certain fears people have about these cars, such as catching fire, EMF’s, etc. Whenever a new technology arises, fear is a common reaction of the population. All of the transcripts from the meeting can be read in their entirety here.

7 8 9 VOTE----------------VOTE----VOTEVOTE-----VOTEVOTEVOTE---VOTEVOTEVOTE-- -VOTE--------------VOTE---VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTEVOTEVOTE--- --VOTE------------VOTE----VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTE---------------- ---VOTE----------VOTE-----VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTE---------------- -----VOTE--------VOTE------VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTEVOTEVOTE---- ------VOTE------VOTE-------VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTEVOTEVOTE---- ------VOTE----VOTE--------VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTE---------------- -------VOTE--VOTE---------VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTE---------------- ---------VOTEVOTE----------VOTE----VOTE---------VOTE---------VOTEVOTEVOTE--- ------------VOTE----------------VOTEVOTE-----------VOTE----------VOTEVOTEVOTE-- Good luck to all who entered!

Welcome to the Sketch Competition #19 Voting thread! Remember, artists who entered must vote for someone other than themselves. Those that do not vote or vote for themselves will be asessed a two (2) point penalty. Voters, please nominate three (3) entries in this format: 1st place 2nd place 3rd place Each first place vote earns 3 points, each second place vote 2 points, and each third place vote 1 point. Voting begins now and will end Tuesday, July 24, 2007 @ 11:59PM. Only those votes cast during that time will be counted. Remember, the 1st place winner will recieve a special GM-related prize from Cheers and Gears! 1 2 3 4 5 6

Fixed. Chuck Norris averages 1000mpg city and highway.

Wait...this qualifies for the $2000 tax credit. $125,000 - $2,000 = affordability...woohoo!

General Motors to buy stake in diesel engine manufacturer Buys 50% of VM Motori from Penske Corp July 16, 2007 | BY KATIE MERX | Link to Original Article @ Detroit Free Press General Motors Corp. announced on Monday that it has agreed to buy a 50% stake in Italian diesel engine manufacturer VM Motori S.p.A. from Penske Corp. in a deal expected to expand GM’s diesel expertise in global markets. “Diesel engines have a very important role in GM’s global advanced propulsion strategy,” Tom Stephens, group vice president of GM Global Powertrain and Quality, said in a statement. “We are leveraging expertise and resources within our company and through technology partners to ensure we develop the world’s best powertrains.” GM Powertrain Vice President of Engineering Dan Hancock said during a conference call Monday that GM is particularly interested in VM Motori’s expertise building diesel engines for the mid-sized trucks that are used as commercial vehicles in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Motori also makes diesel engines for passenger vehicles. And GM announced plans in March to work with VM Motori to jointly develop a new GM 2.9 Liter V-6 diesel for the Cadillac CTS in 2009 in Europe. GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said in a video statement last week that GM will build diesel cars, crossovers, SUVs and light trucks for the U.S. market, though he did not say when. But Hancock would not say on Monday whether the VM Motori investment is related to Lutz’s statement or whether GM plans to build a diesel Cadillac for the United States. Automotive News has reported that the 2.9-liter diesel engine would most likely appear in the United States in the Cadillac CTS and Saturn Aura in 2009 and 2010. Neither GM nor Penske would disclose the terms of the deal. But Hancock said he expects the deal to close by Sept. 30. Ludvik Koci, a Penske director, said it’s hard to pinpoint when the GM deal will close. Currently, Penske is waiting for European regulatory approval of a deal in which it has agreed to buy 49% of VM Motori from DaimlerChrysler AG. When that deal is complete, Penske plans to complete the sale of half of the 60-year-old Cento, Italy, company to GM. But that deal will also be dependent on regulatory approval, Koci said. Officials at DaimlerChrysler were not immediately available for comment late Monday afternoon, due to the six-hour time difference between Detroit and Germany.

Welcome back...to posting! Yes, we've missed you. I think we have two more girls now...we had three, but scared one of them off. I blame Ocnblu.

Christ... "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham!

Lutz Talks Back Part IV "Hey Bob...what's the big deal about the Triplets" In the fourth in what is likely the final installment of GM FastLane Blogs' exclusive one-on-one sitdowns with Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, the public face of General Motors tackles the cognative dissonance many of us have experienced about why Chevrolet unveiled three very progressive minicompacts at the recent New York Intl Auto Show - and even had us vote for out favorite - while dismissing them as products that won't be built either in America or for America a short time later. Mr. Lutz immediately clarifies that, while the Triplets themselves were not designed with American safety standards in mind, that doesn't mean that GM will not offer vehicles similar to those in the North American market. However, the main intent of the Triplets was to drive home the fact to the American automotive press (and public, for that matter) that General Motors is a global company with cars and trucks sold elsewhere other than this continent and those cars are meant for foreign markets where GM is growing by "leaps and bounds," especially in China, India, Brazil, and Russia. This shorter interview concludes with Mr. Lutz pointing out that cars very similar to the Triplets could indeed be produced here (or at least for here) with "significant modification," likely to satisy local market and federal demands such as bumper strength, cabin integrity, etc. Its clear, however, that the market for cars of this general size - perhaps slightly larger to suit American roads and carrying needs - is one that will also be growing by leaps and bounds. Trends in fuel prices, impending fuel economy regulations, and the simple desire for fun, sporty compacts will catalyze the segment. GM already has its feet wet in this market with the well-executed Aveo, which stands as one of the few true subcompacts in the US market, as well as the popular Cobalt and HHR. Saturn will replaced the average but still-loved ION with an immensely-desireable and sporty Astra within months. The stage is set and the time is right for GM to continue forward movement in the segment. Mr. Lutz remarked in this video that, "If you love General Motors, you'll want us to do well all over the world." Well, we do love GM, Bob. And we do want it to succeed the world over, and that includes America. Give us these Triplet cars some time soon; we'll buy them. And we'll all share in your success. Minicar lovers, let Mr. Lutz know what you think of his statements. Respond here... Bob Talks About... Chevy's Triplets ...and make sure you mention where you're from...Cheers and Gears!

I bet none of these LS600hL owners live in reasonable homes. Where the carbon offset for that?

Nissan Still in Minivan Game A next-generation Quest for North America is likely, but the styling will be markedly different BY ALISA PRIDDLE | July 2007 | Link to Original Article @ Car & Driver As Chrysler prepares to try to shake up the minivan segment with a new generation of its people mover in September, and with Ford and General Motors exiting the market, Nissan is prepared to ante up for a few more hands. Nissan will stay a player for now in what the Japanese automaker sees as a shrinking—but still viable—market, Larry Dominique, Nissan North America vice-president in charge of product planning, told Car and Driver in an interview. The Quest—with a controversial design customers either love or hate—has never sold as well as hoped, even with a fairly comprehensive redesign for 2007. Less than 32,000 units were sold in 2006, down 21 percent from the previous year, and sales are less than 16,000 through June, a one percent dip, according to Ward’s Automotive Reports. Dominique is a Quest fan. He thinks the minivan just lacked awareness. And although assembly of the next-generation Quest will move to Kyushi, Japan, from Canton, Mississippi, that is at least a couple years out and does not necessarily mean the end of Quest sales in the U.S. Dominique says Nissan will continue to monitor the health of the U.S. minivan market and has time to decide if the next-gen will continue to be sold here. Quest Has Character But design chief Shiro Nakamura is working on that premise. Nakamura says the Quest “still has a lot of character,” but it was not a successful product in terms of Nissan design language and has not been a strong seller. Its unique side profile worked for the Armada but was not well received on the minivan. In an interview with Car and Driver, Nakamura says the next Quest will be “very different. More in line with other Nissan models.” Nissan has not finalized the design, he says, but the North American model is shaping up to be distinctive yet again: “It won’t be a normal minivan.” Nakamura says modern Nissan design started with the most-recent Altima (a coupe joined the lineup this spring) and 350Z and continues with the next-generation Maxima and 350Z. A new Murano is coming next year, with enhanced materials. Not Designed for the Masses Polarizing design is part of Nissan’s intention in a bid to create a strong family. “We’re not looking for everybody to buy Nissan,” Nakamura says, “but we want people to love Nissan.” He recognizes the automaker must concentrate more on global product development, where possible, as it has been too regional in the past—especially with products for North America that had to be bigger and more powerful. As a result, “it was hard to bring a U.S. product to Europe. The size and the engine were too big,” Nakamura says. It was easier to develop global small cars, such as the Versa subcompact. The pragmatic Nakamura says he knows the entire lineup cannot be global—there will always be some vehicles that must be specifically developed for the U.S. As for the Canton plant, capacity will be freed up when the Quest (and perhaps also the Infiniti QX56) moves out—and sales of the full-size Armada and Titan have not been as robust as hoped. Dominique says Nissan still is looking at what to do with the excess capacity at the plant that has the flexibility to move things around and add new products. Meanwhile, the minivan wars will heat up with the new Chrysler minivans preparing to launch with more features and a lower price under a new “value pricing” strategy designed to price vehicles closer to the transaction price and cut back on incentives.

2009 Jeep JT Concept This Skunkworks project could be the only way to get a pickup back in the Jeep lineup July 11, 2007 | BY ALISA PRIDDLE | Link to Original Article @ Car & Driver In the five years of Chrysler’s Mopar skunkworks program, where designers are given carte blanche with existing production vehicles, the biggest idea to make it into mainstream production is the Sky Slider full-length retractable canvas roof on the new 2008 Jeep Liberty. It hailed from the Liberator skunkworks project from almost three years ago. But the informal group of volunteers at the skunkworks could gain major credibility if the automaker decides to go ahead with the Jeep JT (Jeep truck) concept—a pickup version of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Like all skunkworks projects, the designers were just playing, says Ralph Gilles, vice-president of Jeep and truck design and ringleader for the program. Essentially, the team took an Unlimited, lopped off the second row. and sealed the hole to create a short bed, creating “cool” proportions. This would be the easiest way to get a pickup back into the Jeep lineup, Gilles admits. Jeep’s pickup history dates back about seven decades and includes such nameplates as Honcho and Jeepster. The last pickup, the Comanche, went out of production in 1992, and the automaker has found it difficult to get a Jeep with a bed back into the lineup ever since. A Scrambler concept at the 2002 SEMA show got fans riled again, followed by the Gladiator concept pickup at the 2005 Detroit auto show, which was a variant of the Liberty and truly a concept only, Gilles says. But talk of a production Jeep pickup has ebbed and flowed over the years. And Gilles agrees the JT is a more practical approach. A Jeep pickup is for fun and doesn’t need the size and length of a real pickup such as the Dodge Dakota, Gilles says of the Jeep concept with only a five-foot bed. The JT exists “because it was so easy to do it,” Gilles says, adding the skunkworks team often builds things to test out an idea, to essentially cash out on a dare. In exploring possibilities, sometimes things emerge as feasible. Gilles won’t say if Chrysler is doing a business study on the JT as a production model, but he says the concept got a “lotta love” from purists when it made a surprise debut in April at a Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Putting the Jeep JT concept into production would be the first time a customized project has become a real-world vehicle, but Gilles says he expects more of that as projects are considered for the future. At the skunkworks, Chrysler’s designers, most of whom are enthusiasts, have competitions with sketches. The winning drawings are produced, with all work done in-house, and the winning designer becomes the project leader. It is up to the leader to become a networking genius as well, to wheel and deal with other departments, to talk to people in the metal, paint, plastic, and wood shops to supply what the car needs. Everything is on a volunteer basis, and the reward is to take the creation to SEMA in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, another Jeep concept, the Trailhawk, shows the kinds of extremes—and lengths—to which a Wrangler can go design-wise. The concept was not designed to replace an existing vehicle in the Jeep lineup, but its visuals could influence future Jeeps, according to Gilles.

Assaulting Paved Terrain With a New V8 By Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor Email | Date posted: 07-12-2007 | Link to Original Article @ Edmunds In order to create the new, more powerful 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha, the engineers at GM's off-road brand had to take a couple steps backward. The standard H3's inline five-cylinder might be technologically unique and suitably tractable for off-roading, but it's hopelessly overmatched by the H3's weight, especially on the road. So, sure enough, the Hummer engineers adopted an idea that's been around at GM for half a century — V8 power. With the 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha, GM hopes this addition to the H3 model range will broaden this SUV's appeal beyond the hard-core rock-crawling crowd. It's a logical move and it's long overdue. Not a Plug-and-Play Proposition When we grilled the Hummer engineers about the H3's overdue adaptation of V8 power, they offered up a number of explanations. For one, the H3 shares its frame with the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon pickup, which was never designed to accommodate a V8 engine. Since the space between the frame rails was sized only for the narrow inline-5, adding a V8 hasn't been a simple plug-and-play option. The engineers also note that Hummer has addressed the output of the five-cylinder by increasing its displacement from 3.5 to 3.7 liters. The H3's standard five-cylinder now produces 242 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque. But we must note that the engineers also shrugged their shoulders plenty of times, so it's clear that there's plenty of corporate acknowledgement of the I5's deficiencies. Add Some Aluminum, Then Some Iron, Too Sourcing a V8 for the H3 Alpha wasn't a problem, as Hummer settled on the same aluminum-block 5.3-liter V8 found in the latest Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra pickup. In the H3 Alpha, this V8 is rated at 300 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. These numbers are slightly below those produced by the engine in its pickup truck application because the H3 uses more extensive emissions hardware. Yes, the Hummer H3 Alpha emits fewer pollutants than its truck counterparts, so it's as green as it can be. Getting the wider V8 to fit into the H3 required several small modifications. Both the firewall and the frame rails had to be reshaped and new motor mounts added. A revised oil pan maintains the engine's oil pressure during off-roading across extreme terrain. Meanwhile, every 2008 H3, regardless of engine configuration, gets a revised rack-and-pinion steering system to improve road feel on the highway. Once the H3 had been altered to fit the V8, a few other specifications had to change for the Alpha model. Among other things, the lightweight aluminum differential has been replaced by an older but stronger cast-iron unit. "We had to make the switch to handle the extra torque of the V8," says Daryl Ehrlich, the H3's powertrain engineer. "Using cast iron adds a little weight, but it's very tough, so it's good for serious off-roading." And off-roading matters with the H3 Alpha. More than a third of H3 owners take their rigs off-road, the Hummer people tell us, and that's probably why the tractable inline-5 hasn't aroused more complaints, despite its anemic performance on the highway. A set of 4.10:1 axle gears comes standard with the H3 Alpha in place of the standard model's 4.56:1 ring-and-pinions, yet even with the taller gears the Alpha's maximum tow rating is up 1,500 pounds to 6,000 pounds. GM's fuel mileage estimates for the Alpha V8 are 13 mpg city/16 highway, not far off the standard inline-5's 2008 numbers of 14 mpg city/18 highway. Transformed It's Not Although GM's 5.3-liter engine is a hearty motor, we're driving in Durango, Colorado, and the air is a little thin at 6,500 feet. Since horsepower declines about 3 percent per 1,000 feet of altitude, we expect the H3 Alpha will feel a little soft. Less oxygen doesn't keep it from sounding better, as the low, muscular hum from the V8's exhaust is just about right for a butch SUV like the H3. Compared to the raspy sound of the standard inline-5, the Alpha sounds like Bigfoot. As we head through town, the V8 doesn't make much of an impression. The throttle response is a little better and 1st gear has some real push to it, but it's not a transformation. After all, the H3 Alpha still weighs 4,854 pounds — 100 pounds more from the V8 and an additional 60 pounds from the cast-iron differential. It's not until we merge onto the highway that the added 58 hp and 78 lb-ft of torque produced by the V8 become a little more evident. While the inline-5 runs out of steam after 4,000 rpm, the V8 pulls hard through each gearchange. Not that there are very many of these, as a four-speed automatic is the only transmission choice for the Alpha. The Alpha actually has the power to pass slower vehicles, but you still need a good run to do it safely. There's also an added sense of refinement, as the V8 never sounds as labored as its five-cylinder counterpart. Hummer estimates acceleration to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds flat for the H3 Alpha. Given that we tested a V8-powered Toyota 4Runner four years ago that did it in 7.6 seconds, the H3 Alpha isn't exactly breaking new ground here. Even Better Off-Road Once we get to the Hummer's natural habitat of boulders and sand washes, the H3 Alpha finally feels at home. At these speeds, the big V8 is less of an advantage, as the inline-5 had little trouble powering the big truck at 2-3 mph. It's still nice to have the V8's torque, instead of relying solely on the gears to do the work. Hummer has tuned the V8's throttle response specifically for off-road tractability, so even in the low range of the transmission's transfer case it's easy to roll on the power without spinning the wheels. A revision to the traction control system for 2008 also allows us to use left-foot braking without overriding the system, so it's even easier than before to pick our way over massive boulders. Once you add the Hummer off-road package with its locking differential, larger tires and 4:1 transfer-case gears, the H3 Alpha is one of the most seriously capable SUVs you can buy short of a Jeep Wrangler. Competing in a New Price Category The 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha naturally has its own exclusive interior trim and options list, and it adds up to a base price of $38,645, roughly $4,000 more than the base model with the same options. It looks like big money for an engine upgrade, but it's no more than you would pay for a V8-powered Toyota 4Runner or Jeep Grand Cherokee. And far less than a Volkswagen Touareg or Land Rover LR3. A V8 engine still doesn't make the 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha powerful enough to deliver carlike performance on the road, but it does give an added dimension of useful highway capability to what remains a hard-core off-road machine. If you're serious about the dirt, an H3 Alpha is what you want. The V8 just makes it possible to live through the time until you can get it dirty again.

Incentives up sharply at Honda Troubled segments, old models targeted Honda Division is piling on the incentives this year - a sharp turnabout from its usual ultra-stingy approach to offering spiffs. Honda still doesn't offer cash rebates to customers and says it doesn't plan to. But the division is cranking up dealer incentives and lease subsidies like never before. In June, its average payout per vehicle was $1,221, according to Edmunds. 2007 Honda Element - Low APR, $1000 dealer cash 2007 Honda Odyssey - Low APR 2007 Honda Pilot - $3500 dealer cash 2007 Honda Ridgeline - $3500 dealer cash 2007 Honda S2000 - $2000 dealer cash