Car Throttle News Bites: December 15th 2011

Take a bite... outta news!  I'm back again with today's News Bites, where I hand-feed you today's automotive this-and-that with a humorous spoon.  So what's news today?

Cadillac's ATS has been circulating the rumor mill for a while now.  This small, rear-wheel-drive sedan is pitched directly against BMW's all-conquering 3-series and Audi's A4.  We've known a bit about it's underpinnings for a while now - it will sit on GM's new Alpha RWD chassis, which fits below the Zeta RWD chassis - G8, Camaro, CTS, etc.  GM announced what you'll find under the hood, and there's reason to get excited.  Not about the base model, which will be powered by a 2.5L I4 (likely the same one in the new Malibu, with 190bhp/180lb-ft).  No, the mid-level engine is what's got me excited: the RWD ATS will have a 2.0L "LNF" turbo engine as an option.  This is the same direct-injection powerplant under the hood of the Regal GS, Cobalt/HHR SS Turbo, and Solstice GXP/Sky Redline models.  I'm a fan.  In the ATS, it'll make 270 horsepower and 260lb-ft of torque - from 1,500-5,800rpm.  Top of the heap will be GM's ubiquitous 3.6L 24v V6, making probably around 320bhp.  I'd skip the V6 and get the turbo 4.  The ATS debuts at the Detroit Auto Show next month.

Buick is bringing a new car to the Detroit show, as well.  Called the Encore ("Can I get an encore, do you want more, cookin' raw with the Brooklyn Boss!), it's a small "CUV" that will be positioned below the brisk-selling Enclave in Buick's surprisingly desirable US lineup.  This right here?  This is the Encore's headlight.  Are you excited yet?  Official debut is January 10th at Detroit.

Nissan announced two things they're bringing to Detroit in a press release today, as well.  The first is a concept version of the next-generation Pathfinder SUV.  The current version (above) launched back in 2005, so an overhaul was expected.  It will likely be moving to a more car-like unibody construction with independent suspension, to lure in buyers that are leaning towards car-based SUV's these days.  That's kind of a shame, because the Pathfinder is one of the few "real truck"-based SUV's left with actual off-road ability for a reasonable price.  (Well, it and the Toyota 4Runner.  The Grand Cherokee is now unibody, but it still has off-road chops.  Explorer?  Bah.)  The other is an electric version of Nissan's NV commercial van.

Hyundai showed a teaser sketch of the concept car they'll be bringing to Geneva in a few months, called the I-oniq.  Funny phonetic spelling aside, if you can tell what kind of car this is (hatchback?  Coupe?  Pickup truck?  Motorcycle?) then leave a comment in the box at the bottom, 'cause I haven't the foggiest.  Thomas Bürkle, Hyundai's European Chief Designer, says that "Two strong arched curves define the silhouette of I-oniq, creating a playful contrast between the sharp character lines and soft but muscular features."  I believe him.

Aston Martin has a pretty great business model.  They have one basic chassis (the Cygnet does not count) and two engines, but somehow they manage to get 14 models out of that.  Seriously!  DB9 Coupe/Volante, DBS Coupe/Volante, Virage Coupe/Volante, V8 Vantage Coupe/Roadster, V8 Vantage S Coupe/Roadster, Rapide, V12 Zagato, One-77, and V12 Vantage.  Well, it seems now they've figured out the perfect permutation of all those various parts.  That is, smallest chassis with the biggest engine and a folding roof.  Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, told GTSpirit last night that there will soon be a drop-top version of the droolworthy V12 Vantage (above), probably to debut at the Geneva Show.  Sure, it's another combination from the same parts bin.  But it's a delicious parts bin.  Link here.

Porsche's new (991) 911 hasn't been around long, but like any German sports car, there's already tuning options available for it.  Well known Porsche tweaker TechArt released some pictures and details of their 991 parts today.  20 or 21" wheels that are up to 15% lighter than the factory offerings, chrome tail pipes, and interior goodies like a three-spoke wheel with paddle shifters, custom leather trim, and some performance upgrades (yet to be announced) will be revealed at Geneva this year.  Man, that is a good picture, right?

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpJ9Ydy2N4I

And finally, the whimsical part of the news today: Hyundai released a pretty cool video of Rhys Millen drifting the pants off his Genesis Coupe in Hyundai's abandoned headquarters in Fountain Valley, CA.  Watching him blow smoke rings around a security guard in a golf cart... fantastic.

That's it for News Bites today!  See you tomorrow, readers!