Due to the whole bankruptcy/bailout saga, it's been awhile since we've seen General Motors advertise during the Super Bowl. That may change next year, though. According to Automotive News, the company seeks a return to pre-bankruptcy ad-spending levels by upping this year's budget three to five percent. That includes running a Chevrolet-focused spot during Super Bowl XLV. The news comes courtesy of GM marketing VP Joel Ewanick, who says that we can expect a rash of new advertising projects.

These include a new TV spot highlighting the Chevrolet Camaro and a new tagline for Cadillac, so get ready to hear plenty about "The New Standard of the World" in the near future. Likewise, Chevrolet will try on a new slogan after "Excellence for All" proved to be a dud. Exactly when these new marketing efforts will start popping up on our TV sets is still to be determined.

[Source: Automotive News]
Photo by Chris Shunk/ Copyright ©2009 AOL

We can quit wondering where General Motors is heading with Buick. Maybe. If rumors dusting up from GM Inside News are to be believed, company leadership has the Tri-Shield's sights trained solidly on Lexus. We all know that the 2010 Buick LaCrosse was positioned as the answer to the Lexus ES 350, but supposedly, GM is aiming even higher and cooking up a Zeta-based sedan to go head-to-head with the Lexus LS. If you believe the hype, design work has already been given the go-ahead, but production ihas yet to receive an official OK from up top. Details are predictably scarce, but GM Inside News claims that the styling is sharp as can be.

Interestingly enough, the Zeta platform that would provide the basis for the rumored big Buick isn't exactly the same as the one underpinning the mega-Holdens prowling Australia (or the Caprice soon to be cruising your local donut shop, or the Buick Park Avenue that's already sold in China). Instead, GMI says that the luxe Buick will be built upon something called the Premium Zeta Platform, and that the oft-rumored Cadillac flagship will use the same bones. Sounds great, but until we hear something official from The General, we won't start holding our collective breath.

[Source: GM Inside News]
Photo by Drew Phillips / Copyright ©2009 AOL

You all know that the long-awaited U.S. version of Top Gear is headed to The History Channel, and now it's time to get your first taste of the show. The first trailer for the show is online, and if it's any indication, Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood and Adam Ferrara are going to win over viewers, and the program will not stray from the BBC original's successful formula of cool tests and zany challenges.

In fact, one of the new show's challenges is the trailer's centerpiece. In involves the hosts determining the best $1,000 car by putting a trio of them through a punishing "moonshine run" dirt course. The ride selected for the teaser is Ferrara's, the airborne 1976 Cadillac Deville Calais seen above (it could be a '75, but we're pretty certain that's the '76 grille pattern). How does a malaise-era Caddy handle a landing after catching that much air? About as well as you'd imagine - this isn't the make-believe world of '70s cop shows, after all. It's hilarious.

Bottom line: The hosts exude great chemistry and the motoring action is pretty much everything you'd want and expect from a program calling itself Top Gear. Still under wraps, however, is the Stig. The suspense is killing us. This looks like a completely fun show. Hit the jump to see for yourselves. Thanks to Chris for the tip!

[Source: YouTube]

Read more →

With all-new powertrains debuting in the 2011 Ford Mustang, you knew it was just a matter of time before a new limited-edition model was introduced. Well, it looks like that time may be next week. As you all know very well by now, the 2011 Mustang GT has the new Ford 5.0 V8 underhood. Since the new race version (above) wears the Boss 302R moniker, a new street-going Boss 302 seems like a no-brainer.

During a recent Grand-Am race, the announcers let slip that the consumer-spec Boss 302 would debut in mid-August at Laguna Seca as part of Pebble Beach week. (The exact date spinning around the rumormill is August 13.) The Boss reportedly delivers about 430 horsepower with a price in the low $30,000 range. Ford's motorsports partner, Multimatic, is apparently building some special parts for the Boss 302, but we'll have to wait until next week to find out those specifics if indeed this rumor is true. Check out the video after the jump.



[Source: YouTube]

Read more →

An entire concept album born from a 23-year-old song imagining Juan Manuel Fangio piloting a Saab SPG through the Andes on a mission to assassinate former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet? The plot sounds like some mythical collaboration between Terry Gilliam and Sergio Leone. In fact, the artist behind it all is Peter Peter Hughes, whom you may know from his work as a member of The Mountain Goats.

The first two songs off Hughes' new solo project, Fangio, will be released on August 10, both digitally and on vinyl (the 7" will be available via Fayettenam Records). The complete LP follows on September 7 (vinyl again available via Fayettenam -- and dig that album artwork). Preceding all that, however, is the music video for the track, "My God is an Angry God." Directed by our great friend (and Jalopnik O.G.) Davey G. Johnson, the video - shot in true guerilla style using locales in upstate New York including the old Watkins Glen GP circuit - stars Hughes as Fangio and Hughes' personal Saab SPG as itself.

Follow the jump to watch the video, and be sure to pick up the record once it's officially released. For additional updates, you can follow Peter Peter Hughes at his website, Fivetools.com, and also be sure to check in on Davey at his place, the excellently-named Sofaleggera.com.

[Source: Fivetools.com, Sofaleggera.com]

Read more →

The people at MSN Money have unearthed a little known stipulation in rental car contracts that allows the manufacturer of speed and red light cameras to directly charge your credit card if you're caught breaking the law. How? Big name rental agencies like Hertz, Avis, Advantage and Budget have an agreement with a company called ATS Processing Services to share renters' credit card and personal information. ATS operates a fair portion of the traffic enforcement cameras in the U.S., and when a rental car gets popped running a red light, the company immediately checks to see who was renting it at the time and charges his or her credit card. Oh, and they ding you for a $30 administrative fee.

This presents a few problems. Namely, it does away with that whole "due process of the law" thing on which our entire justice system is based. In their defense, the rental companies say that having ATS directly bill renters is an easier system than what used to happen. Once upon a time, when a rental car snagged a fine from a traffic enforcement camera, the rental car company was expected to pay it and then track down and charge whoever had incurred the infraction. Neither process is exactly reassuring for those who rent cars on a regular basis, but it seems to be the norm. Next time you find yourself at the rental counter, be sure to read the entire contract.

[Source: MSN Money | Image: Tim Boyle/Getty]

Of all the automakers in the United States, perhaps the one with the largest enthusiast following is Mini. Sure, brands like Porsche, BMW and even Subaru have their own clubs and cult followings, but when it comes to eccentricity and personality, no one does it like Mini.

In that spirit, the pint-sized automaker is once again embarking on its Mini Takes The States cross-country road rally, an event that first occurred in 2006 and then again in 2008. This time, Mini is gathering its owners to celebrate the launch of the 2011 Countryman crossover, and we've been asked to tag along. We'll be scoring some seat time in the Countryman as well, so stay tuned for our initial impressions.

Our trip started in New York and will take us to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Columbus and finally Indianapolis before we hop a plane back home. Many of the other participants will head all the way out to Denver, where they will meet up with other groups doing similar drive routes in different parts of the country. Mini has a full host of festivities planned for the Denver crew, and many other local Mini enthusiast clubs are providing some entertainment along the way.

Mini has provided us with a Cooper S Camden Edition for the trip, which means we'll experience turbocharged small car thrills along the highways of America. We already spent a considerable amount of time with the Camden-ized Cooper, and we've been getting many a thumbs-up from Mini owners out on the road. (We've opted to leave the Camden's Mission Control system in the "off" position.)

Keep your eyes peeled for caravans of Coopers and Clubmans, folks. This not-so-mini road rally is taking America by storm. Want to vicariously join in on the fun? Follow the trip's progress on Mini's Facebook page.



Photos copyright ©2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

In the months leading up to its 2009 bankruptcy filing, General Motors attempted to shut down about one third of its 6,049 dealers that were operating at the time. However, some 1,176 of the 2,046 stores slated for closure weren't ready to quit just yet and filed arbitration claims to try and stay in business. GM has now completed the arbitration process, with 702 dealers reconfirmed to remain in business. For those keeping track, this will leave GM with about 4,500 stores as of the end of this year.

Of the remaining dealers, many will be getting upgrades to their showrooms and service departments in the hopes of being more appealing to customers. Service departments are getting waiting rooms with power outlets for phones and laptop computers as well as free WiFi so customers can get some work done (or play on Facebook) while they wait.

Storefronts are also getting an update and new signage to give them a more modern and consistent look. By the end of this year, about 1,300 dealers will have been upgraded. Now GM just needs to get the brand new Chevy Cruze and Buick Regal into those refreshed showrooms so that customers have something up-to-date to buy.



[Source: General Motors]

Read more →

Roush Yates Engines has announced that it will be offering up a race-prepared version of Ford's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 for American Le Mans Series prototype competition in 2011. Roush Yates is developing the engines for use under the new 2011 LMP2 rules that require production-based engines. This will be the first competition application for Ford's twin-turbocharged and direct injected V6 that debuted in 2009.

The first chassis constructor to announce support for the Ford V6 is Lola, with installation kits available for both its open-top and closed coupe 2011 LMP2 cars. According to Roush Yates spokesperson Kenna Primm, the race engine will be reduced down to the 3.2-liter maximum allowed under ALMS rules compared to the 2.8-liter displacement of the twin-turbo V6 announced by Honda at Le Mans in June. Output will likely be somewhere around 400 horsepower.

In addition to the EcoBoost V6, Roush Yates is also evaluating a race version of the Mustang's 5.0-liter V8 for ALMS competition.

[Source: American Le Mans Series]

Read more →