The family-car lineup gets a sportier 175-horsepower diesel version.

Serbian company that builds the Fiat Punto is up for grabs.

Special version of the X-Trail SUV is for the "active winter lifestyle" market.

Mazda will introduce the fifth "Nagare" concept at the upcoming Detroit show.

Chevy's Corvette ZR1 will join a Challenger SRT8 and Shelby GT500KR on the Barrett-Jackson auction block in January.

New electric car will be the first car of any kind to be sold under the Pininfarina brand name.

Compact car targeted for 55,000-plus sales next year in China.

Judging from how a generation of thirty-somethings have images of a flying, fusion-powered DeLorean imprinted in their DNA, we'd say that Back To The Future has left its mark. Likewise, Highland Green '68 Mustang fastbacks only look appropriate wearing American Racing Torq-Thrust Ds and flying through the air. Bullitt might not have quite as broad an influence since it wasn't a comedy, but it's touched at least two generations of car nuts and sparked two commemorative edition cars. Because of the cultural significance of these films, they've been named to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for preservation in perpetuity. BTTF and Bullitt are but two of a total of 25 great films that the National Film Preservation Board and the Librarian of Congress have chosen as "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant." The list this year includes greats from a variety of genres, though it's still a little strange to think of Marty McFly's character being as deep as Humphrey Bogart's lead in fellow nominee "In a Lonely Place."Bullitt's 11-minute car chase was certainly the most talked about aspect of the film, but the tense cop drama was also well acted and has a superb score. Back To The Future's special effects really pushed the envelope, while the underlying story proved portable through two sequels sharing the same basic plot. It's quite a gift to car guys and children of the '80s who've wanted to have a badass green Mustang and a sleek (if not fast) DeLorean parked next to each other in the garage to see these two films topping the list, but the 23 other films named to the register are just as worthwhile. Our Saturday nights will be wrapped up for a while working through the movies named. We'll start with Bullitt, though. [Source: Library of Congress]Continue reading Back to the Future, Bullitt added to National Film Registry

The Loremo sedan (LOw REsistance MObile) isn't even here yet -- it's slated for 2009 -- and already the convertible has been announced. The coupe made its debut last year at the Geneva Motor Show, and the claims were grand: 20-HP in the 2-cylinder turbodiesel LS version, 0-60 in 9 seconds, a top speed of 122-MPH, a weight of 990 pounds, a Cd of .20, and 150-computer-simulated-MPG. Of course the Loremo -- coupe or convertible -- isn't for everyone. The point of the car is to offer style (take that any way you wish), a modicum of luxury, and fuel-sipping economy at a prices between $13,000 and $18,000. The convertible would probably have a slightly higher Cd and therefore slightly worse gas mileage, but if you just get 100-MPG, that'd be all right, no? The convertible version would also probably be easier to get into than sliding over the fenders of the tilt-forward-canopy coupe. The Loremo Cabrio is expected to bow at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. [Source: World Car Fans]ReadPermalinkEmail this10 CommentsAutobacs bringing 14 cars, Speed Racer replica to Tokyo Auto SalonPosted Dec 29th 2007 12:35PM by Damon LavrincFiled under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Etc., Tokyo Auto Salon

BMW is being driven by the desire to cut costs. One can only assume that Mercedes, for all of its protestations, has the same thing in mind. Every carmaker is coming out with a raft of smaller cars to serve multiple purposes, among them: meet CO2 emissions and CAFE standards, put on a green face on for the public, and, of course, increase volume by selling more inexpensive vehicles. While we're sure consumers would like to imagine each maker bringing its own technology -- and specifically, intangible brand feel -- to its vehicles, the business case cries out for closer cooperation for economies of scale. We aren't sure yet how BMW and Mercedes will be joining up, but we're pretty sure that they'll be doing so in some substantial way soon enough.[Source: Bloomberg]ReadPermalinkEmail this8 CommentsRumormill: 2012 Mazda RX-9, real or fake?Posted Dec 28th 2007 7:57PM by Jonathon RamseyFiled under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Mazda