@conrader: I know, I just love saying that out loud. It somehow helps it sink in (a little).

And now think of an F1 engine topping out at 20,000 RPM (I know, I know, they've capped them at 19K for reliability, but still...)

@driggity: My thoughts exactly.

@joliverti: Depends on who you ask, but Stefanovic seems to think that the other teams were scared of real competitors and teams that might provide their own engines (instead of Cossies)

@fodder650: Oh, I couldn't care less if they get American drivers involved, honestly. I don't really see a place for jingoistic teams in F1 (American F1, fuck yeah!)

You see, this is what FIA wanted the whole time - offseason drama. They could have just chosen qualified and funded teams like Prodrive and Stefan, but with no off-season testing and low budgets, they knew they needed to do something dramatic and boy has it worked out well.

@fodder650: Campos is Spanish, so very much so, but I couldn't care less as long as they get some damned cars on the track.

@pj134: If they only bought the rights, then I completely agree with you. As these damn internets have conflicting information about it, I will graciously decline further comment until Al Navarro shows up.

The single best part of this whole thing is the shag carpet spiral staircase behind the driver's seat.

Peugeot has never been one of the French companies that showed particularly wacky or interesting designs, but they've had some seriously handsome cars throughout their history that I think they could have pulled more DNA from. They have such a strong historically recognizable front end (cats eyes, how can you beat…

@pj134: Well, not technically a replica, as I believe they bought the original tooling from Lotus, didn't they?

I can't believe they overlooked the most obvious choice: Mercury Malaise

I don't really like the new nose, but Lotus would have to really mess up the design for me to stop wanting one desperately.

@Optixtruf: Um, you do realize that the Caterham is a Lotus right? I mean, Lotus making a new 7 could be cool, but it'd be bringing back something they left behind 40 years ago.

@finite_elephant: P.J. O'Rourke would be a fantastic US Clarkson. He's funnier than Carolla (by hundreds of miles) and has the intelligence and pomposity to make the show relevant and to get in trouble without really caring. He has also proven an absolute disdain for decorum, something that I find a requirement for…

@leavethegun-takethecannoli: You can not...not love this car. I think.

@leavethegun-takethecannoli: It will indeed, and I'm damned excited about it. With a few extra horses for us 'Muricans too.

@layabout: Not only will they be bringing the Abarth here, it'll be getting an upgraded engine with 170hp and 170 torques, 10 and 20 more than the Euro version respectively.

@GreenN_Gold: They will be selling this car as a Fiat, just in Chrysler dealerships.

@Pessimippopotamus: Panda 4x4 please, and not rebadged as a Jeep.