Video: Chevy Volt Hits The Track, Impresses The Hell Out Of Us

After bombarding the media with an overflow of official press images, video footage of the production Chevy Volt hitting the streets has finally found its way to the web. Coldplay’s “Speed of Sound” musical accompaniment notwithstanding, actually seeing the Chevy Volt in motion effectively quieted all the bitching and moaning we’ve done about the Volt’s unimpressive design.

Video footage after the jump

Despite the fact that I doubt it ever peaked past 45mph, watching the Chevy Volt complete a lap on the track was, as corny as this may sound, a very humbling experience. Yes, we’ve read GM the riot act a countless number of times for the numerous discrepancies between the concept and production model Volts, but at the end of the day, we respectfully remove our hats in your presence, GM - 100 years and still firmly planted on the forefront of engineering.

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New Porsche Marketing Idea “I Can” Gives You Another Reason To Hate Your Middle-Class, Mediocre Life

Referred to as “I Can” [as in, "I Can Own A Porsche Without Participating In The Trafficking of Narcotics,"], Porsche’s new online interactive program allows users to create their own desktop wallpaper by uploading a picture of their own driveway and then integrating a Porsche model of their choosing into the foreground. To ensure the finished product appears authentic enough to show you what you could achieve without your nagging wife [for convenience, shovels and duct tape included in the upgrade package with all Porsche coupes], Porsche provides several Photoshop-type editing tools to adjust the size, color, and sharpness of the vehicle.

Although I was pretty impressed with my photo-editing prowess, a well-meaning friend of mine was kind enough to point out that the picture I created above utterly fails to communicate the “I am a wildly rich and successful creative genius” theme I was going for. Instead, my friend explained, given my gross annual income and my decidedly blue-collar neighborhood, my picture only makes it appear as though I have either a.) adopted the Heidi Fleiss business model or b.) begun dating a man thrice my age. Unfortunately he’s right…there go my plans for one hell of a Christmas card.

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Unveiled: Guys, Seriously, This Isn’t The 10th Grade, Stop Copying Each Others Homework

Apparently hoping to duplicate Ford’s success in the compact car market, Chevrolet has revealed their own craptacular version of the Ford Fiesta global-design frame: the new Chevrolet Cruze. Slated to replace the Chevrolet Cobalt in the U.S. in 2011, the Chevrolet Cruze will make its official debut on the road in March of 2009 when it’s released in the European market. The 2010 European Cruze will be offered with 3 different engines, either a 112-hp 1.L, 140-hp 1.8L, or a 150-hp 2.0L turbodiesel. When it hits the United Sates in 2010 as a 2011 model, the Cruze will most likely feature similar specifications.

According to Chevrolet, the Cruze compact car is based on the Delta 2 platform and will serve as the flagship model for Chevrolet’s “Global Compact Vehicle” Architecture. Using the “Global Delta” platform, Chevrolet plans to eventually release 15 cars worldwide, a marketing plan that very closely resembles Ford’s “Global Ford” program.

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Nissan Forum Concept Aims to Revolutionize the Family Transport

The Nissan Forum Concept Design Team are not merely looking to challenge the mindset of the Mini-Van clans, but to remind everyone that “getting there” should be part of the fun. With plush aniline leather seats, a plethora of electronics and even a microwave such a transport may cause families to opt for the long way to any destination. The outside layers of the Forum Concept also strikes a bold pose with its striking front end, expansive views via the glass paneled cieling, and its railless sliding rear doors. There seems to be a lot more here to catch the here in the Nissan Forum than one would expect in the usual Mini-Van. And that is exactly what Nissan is hoping for when they showcase their Forum Concept in January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. For more photos and the Specs for the Nissan Forum click Read More. (more…)

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Should Car Manufacturers Bring Back Exact Replica Models?

While it makes sense for car manufacturers to release new variations on their current models every 5 years or so, I wonder if the public would be ready for some almost exact replicas from the past. Some of the most successful niche vehicles in recent history have been remakes of past legends, or at least hybrids between new and old. Think the new Beetle from VW or the Mustang from Ford. Even the PT Cruiser.

It seems to me that the first car company to start a line of exact replicas (of course with modern engines and parts) would gain a very large market and face zero competition.

While not an exact replica, one of the concept cars I’m most excited about is the Chrysler Challenger. Pure Muscle:

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Nissan Raises Hopes: GT-R to make an appearance at Los Angeles Show

Nissan raises the hopes of many car enthusiasts with the indication that they will be making an appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November with the coveted GT-R. The long awaited sports car will receive its official unveiling at the Tokyo Auto Show in October where it is sure to garner plenty of press. The Los Angeles would be the perfect follow up to the Tokyo show to maintain the level of excitement for the car right through to the Detroit NAIAS.

While there is no mention as to whether the Nissan GT-R will be entered at the NAIAS in Detroit, nor is there any specified time-line as to when the car will be released on the market. However, there is hope.

Look for more detailed coverage in the months to come.

Source[jalopnik]

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