Car Throttle

Buick is experiencing a renaissance in sales and new product, and 2010's sales numbers bear that out. After a period of decline, they are on the upswing, posting a startling 52.88% percent improvement with sales of 155,389 cars for the year. The Enclave and LaCrosse have been successful models, and the Regal that joined the lineup this year is attracting new buyers. That is set to continue with the Verano small car slates for the upcoming North American International Auto Show. To help with attracting younger buyers, a Regal GS model has already been introduced. Could we see a similar variant of the LaCrosse as well? The Regal GS definitely should attract a younger, more enthusiast-oriented demographic. But what about the LaCrosse? Could a performance variant make

Last year, BMW showed off the EfficientDynamics Concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show. It appeared to be a pure concept, a design exercise showing off BMW's design ability and plans for future alternative fuel propulsion. The car was powered by a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine mated with hybrid motors up front and back. The car was based on the idea of creating a car with the performance of an M3 without the fuel economy drawbacks. The result? A 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds, along with 62.6 mpg (U.S.) on the EU's test cycle. BMW's whole "dontblogabouthis.com" effort to build buzz was about the car, and according to Inside Line BMW has announced production and now a tentative date for the car's arrival. Ian Robertson, BMW's

Lexus' issues with the performance crowd are well known. A company that makes front-wheel drive luxury cruisers based off Toyota models isn't exactly the best recipe for success. We've just been waiting for an ES F (that's a joke).

The one standout in Lexus' model range though has been the IS range, formerly known as the Toyota Altezza in Japan. With a rear-wheel drive platform and the lone Lexus F model, it is by far the most attractive Lexus model in our opinion.

Introduced in 2005 a a 2006 model, it is time for a replacement. Shockingly, it could be based on another car that Toyota enthusiasts have pinned their performance hopes on - the FT-86. That's the word from Road & Track.

The FT-86 has

What? Really?! A new Dodge Challenger with a Viper engine?! Right ON! Okay, this isn't official (yet) (hopefully) but there's been a Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept roaming the streets of Michigan recently spied. And add to that the Challenger SRT10 Concept made its debut at the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Since the '08 SEMA show, the Viper-powered Challenger has been consigned to the history books and the furtive dreams of gearheads everywhere. But then, next thing you know, spy photogs spotted the super muscle car driving Chrysler’s typical test circuit. Hmmm, it makes one go. Now, seeing a given car driving around the streets of Michigan do not a production confirmation make. But you've got to say it IS hard to explain the

I was wondering when this was going to happen. Magic 8-Ball says that the next iteration of Audi's S8 flagship will have a big, Lamborghini V10 sitting 'neath the bonnet and it will be cranking out, gulp, 620 horses. Since both Audi and Lambo are owned by the same corporate parent (Volkswagen) I always thought something like this was going to take place. One of the main reasons given for Lambo's jump in quality was the fact that they are being managed by former Audi guys. Also, there was that Audi R8 show car for a while back that had a Lambo V10 in it. So, it makes a whole lot of sense that Audi could write up a request via inter-office mail and ask

Well maybe (just maybe) General Motors is starting to get it. It seems that some patent drawings have leaked out that shows the once largest carmaker in the world to be working on (or at least covering their patent bases) on a hybrid minivan. It makes logical sense, in a bunch of realms, so maybe the real surprising thing is that GM came up with it. According to sources, the pictures here are official trademark designs of an unnamed Chevrolet compact minivan. Note the front end and rear end styling. Notice the shape of the headlamps and tail lamps. Looks a lot like Chevy's highly anticipated Volt series hybrid, no? GM Inside News says that the compact people carrier/minivan seen in the drawings looks to

Yeah, like you knew this wasn't going to happen ... or maybe not, Honda can be a very conservative company. Anyway, since Honda first introduced the CR-Z hybrid coupe, and threw around the notion that it's the spiritual and eco-conscious successor to the CR-X, one of the main complaints has been the CR-Z's lack of power. OK, that's a fair enough criticism. The CR-X was a wonderfully fun and tossable car. Light, handled good enough for a front driver, and it had enough power. The same cannot be said, it would seem, for the as announced CR-Z. The CR-Z puts out 122 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque from its 1.5-liter VTEC four-cylinder and Integrated Motor Assist Sporty, yes, but that doesn't make the CR-Z into