Fuel economy figures have yet to be announced, but BMW guesstimates a 25-30% improvement over a six-cylinder gas 740Li.

Can someone clarify why it isn't called the BMW i5?
It's a PHEV and is bigger than the i3 IIRC, so I'd figure that it would fit right into the i-brand unless it <i>has</i> to be marketed as an EV with a generator. The styling may not be as bold as that of the i3 and i8, but still.

I know that this is a refresh, but they didn't go far enough with the interior IMO. Sure, it has some buttons so that Ford can finally cater to people who hated the capacitive HVAC/radio controls, and that's a step in the right direction. On the other hand, the steering wheel and the vents look... old, to say the…

If it were a Miata, I'd say that it's the Alfa Romeo twin that's in the works - the aesthetic doesn't really match the Miata or Kodo.

Neutral: Can You Have High Tech And High Performance? Will the STI replace the Corvette Z06?

Now, that last part makes me scratch my head a bit. GM doesn't have a dual-clutch gearbox at the moment; that's why the new Corvette Z06 has the eight-speed auto. MT says that gearbox won't come along until 2015, but why? GM kept saying the new auto is better than a dual-clutch. Doesn't that seem redundant?

If this report in Motor Trend turns out to be true — and take it with a grain of salt — then the ATS-V will have a twin-turbo version of its 3.6-liter V6 pumping out 425 horsepower. That certainly sounds healthy enough to do battle with the 2014 BMW M3 and M4 and their German ilk.

Ah, I didn't know that this was an established tradition. Can you link to something that discusses these? Like I said, I haven't found anything about these in the C7 Z06 coverage that I've read.

I know that all of the other vents are functional, but I haven't heard anyone mention these new vents - do they actually channel air to the rear brakes? They're positioned on the fender flares, so I'm under the impression that they're fake.

The new Z06 is a pavement-rippling monster and blah blah blah but I don't want it in the slightest and the reason is, frankly, because it will no longer identify me as the punk rocker of Corvette owners. Maybe in ten years I'll be more comfortable with advancing middle age and that eight-speed auto will sound relaxing…

The C7 Z06 is apparently stiff enough to not need the fixed roof, so it still has the targa top.

So, if I read this right... the Maybach will be unveiled first and will slot between the regular S-class and the Pullman?

I agree. The negative PR from this might do First State Chevy in, but they could also bide their time until they can continue on as though nothing happened. Best Chevrolet Easley, for example, still seems to be operating even after a few guys from their service department took a guy's Camaro SS out for a joyride back…

Hi Mr. Lutz,

I absolutely love what you've done with the C7 Stingray and C7 Z06. Since the Z06 has different trims with varying amounts of downforce, is it safe to assume that the yellow C7 Z06 is a top-of-the-line Z07, and that the front splitter/fenders and adjustable rear spoiler won't be standard on the lowest-trim Z06?

But before I could cite that in retort, the Tesla team revoked my microphone privileges, leading a wave of shaming laughter and finger-pointing in my direction.

Cindy McCain (I know she's not a Congressperson, but w/e) got into drifting after her son encouraged her to try it. Apparently, they even built an S13 and ran it in a drift competition.

I think I've come to like the RC-F's execution of the predator grille, especially since it doesn't share the normal RC's resemblance to an electric razor. I still hate how tacked-on those harpoon-shaped LED strips look since they're separate from the headlight housings.

Yeah, it'll probably have a mesh grille if the CTS-V is any indication.

To my eye, the edges of the crest look like they could stand to be slimmed down a bit; the horizontal chrome accents are probably contributing to that stretched-out look IMO. I'd like to see an Elmiraj-style mesh grille on the ATS coupe, but I love how the car looks overall.