According to a report in Automotive News, General Motors is looking to sell Saab but no one is looking to buy.

Apparently Saab was put under “strategic review” by General Motors as part of its bailout proposal to Congress. The article quotes GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz as saying that “strategic review” is “’code for we realize they’re not working and something needs to be done.’”

Saab’s sales were down 34.7 percent in 2008 and the auto manufacturer has never sold more than 50,000 cars. In fact, the highest recorded sales year was 1986 with  48,181 units.

Recently Volvo secured bailout money from the Swedish government and it is expected Saab will attempt to do the same in the near future.

[Source: Auto News]

Scion will have on display a limited edition version of its popular xB at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Called the xB Release Series (R.S.) 6.0, just 2,500 of these vehicle will be sold and all of them with a bespoke paint color called Absolutely Red.

The xB R.S. 6.0 will also receive other exterior treatments including a custom black grille and R.S. wheel covers. (A paint-matched rear spoiler will also be optional).

Inside, the Absolutely Red color seeps through with red-detailed fabric seats as well as red lights in the foot-wells and red illuminated door sills that feature the “Release Series 6.0” logo.

The limited edition xB will also get a Pioneed headunit with a 5.8-inch LCD screen that can play DVDs when the car is in park. The headunit has a flash memory, voice recognition, MSN Direct and Bluetooth functionality, as well as iPod connectivity and slots for SD cards and USB sticks.

The Scion xB R.S. 6.0 retails for 1,743 over a standard xB, making it $17,493 for a manual version and $18,443 for an automatic.

Scion xB Release Series 6.0:

Official release after the jump:
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Just ahead of it’s official debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Buick has released all the info on the new 2010 LaCrosse.

Redesigned from the ground-up, the most obvious thing is the stunning new design, which isn’t far off from the Invicta concept Buick showed not that long ago.

Inside, it seems as though the LaCrosse is following it he footsteps of the Cadillac CTS and Chevy Malibu by offering a surprisingly up-scale interior. In fact, Buick might legitimately be able to call itself a luxury brand after they roll this car out.

Along with a classy and modern new design the LaCrosse receives a host of in-cabin features including a heads-up display, navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and an auxiliary input. Rear passengers can treat themselves thanks to a power rear-sunshade and a DVD system with integrated seat-back LCD screens (yes, two of them).

The Lacrosse wil be offered in three different trim models, as follows:
• CX – equipped with a new 3.0L direct injection V-6, premium cloth seats and 17-inch wheels. The 3.0L engine generates an estimated 255 horsepower and 211 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
• CXL – also equipped with the new 3.0L direct injection V-6, adds leather-appointed heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, outside rearview mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18-inch wheels. Intelligent AWD is available.
• CXS – equipped with a 3.6L direct injection V-6; real-time active-dampening suspension; perforated, leather-appointed, heated and cooled seats, and chrome-plated 18-inch wheels (19-inch optional). The 3.6L engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, generates an estimated 280 horsepower and 261 lb.-ft. of torque.

2010 Buick LaCrosse:

For 2010 Detroit Auto Show News See Here

Complete specifications after the jump:

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Chrysler continues to expand the use of its new dual-clutch transmission, offering it in a total of three models – just not in North American. Originally offered in the Dodge Journey in European markets, the transmission will now also be available in the Avenger and Sebring.

Designed in partnership with Getrag, the state of the art transmission is similar in design to Audi’s DSG unit or the new PDK transmission found on new Porsches. Essentially it operates like an automatic transmission from the driver’s perspective, and gears can be selected through a manumatic-type system. Because of the dual-clutches, the next gear is always pre-loaded, meaning gear changes are incredibly quick and smooth.

According to Chrysler, it also makes for an improvement in fuel economy of six percent.

Currently the dual-clutch transmission is only available on 2.0-liter turbo diesel engines found in the Journey, Avenger and Sebring overseas.

Official release after the jump:

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Nissan Japan has just released some details of the upcoming GT-R SpecV, boasting increased performance in every category.

While no actual performance numbers were include in the release, apparently the SpecV will make more power than the standard GT-R thanks to a new boost control device. This device also plays a critical role in reducing boost during high gear or cruising speeds to reduce fuel consumption and prolong engine life. (Unfortunately Nissan did not include a device to prolong transmission life).

From the outside a SpecV will be easily recognizable by the carbon fiber front grille surround, brake ducts and rear spoiler. It will also be offered exclusively in Ultimate Black Opal paint.

Weight has been reduced inside the cabin through the use of carbon fiber dash components as well as the use of carbon fiber Recaro bucket seats. In an effort to save even more weight the SpecV will do away with the useless rear seats found in the standard GT-R.

Additional weight savings are due to the use of a titanium exhaust, lighter Nismo forged aluminum wheels and carbon ceramic brakes.

Nissan GT-R SpecV

Official release after the jump:
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It’s not often that a car’s badge has a smaller number on it than the number on ponies being generated by the engine, but that is exactly the case with the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500. The GT500 name is legendary. So too is the 540hp generated by ford’s 5.4-liter supercharged and intercooled V-8. Torque isn’t shabby either at 510 ft-lbs.

To increase fuel economy but retain performance Ford kept the first four gears from the last GT500 but replaced the final two gears with longer versions that will rev lower at highway speeds. Combined with a 3.31 final drive ratio, compared to the 3.55 final drive in the outgoing GT500, the 2010 model will get improved acceleration and fuel economy. Ford says the super-sportscar should get a 2mpg improvement in highway fuel economy.

For 2010 Ford has made several other improvements to the GT500 including an improved twin-disk clutch for better drivability. The interior also received upgrades with real aluminum accents and Alcantara details.

Shelby GT500:

Complete 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 details after the jump:

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These tough times have hit Hyundai harder than most. If the 30-plus percent drop in sales reported by General Motor or Toyota sounds scary, just think how the folks over at Hyundai are doing after it was announced that their December sales were down 48 percent.

So to keep people buying Hyundai’s the Korean manufacturer has announced that anyone who buys a new vehicle can return it within 12 months if they lose their job.

Actually, the offer applies to those who lose their job due to: involuntary unemployment, physical disability, loss of driver’s license for medical reasons, a job transfer overseas or personal bankruptcy if you are self-employed. Oh… and you someone else can also return your car if you die.

The deal only applies to those who lease or finance a car, the owner must have made at least two payments and the vehicle must be returned within 12 months of the purchase date.

Technically, some customers could be stuck with a bill. The fine print states that Hyundai will take the car back at no charge if the difference between what is owed on the car and how much it is actually worth is less than $7,500. If the difference is greater (which is unlikely) the owner will have to pay the difference in order to return the vehicle.

Official release after the jump:

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After decades of modifying Mustangs (and other Ford products), last year Steve Saleen sold the company that bares his name. Now he’s back with a new company, SMS Limited, based in Anaheim, CA. And while he plans to copy his old business plan of tuning Mustangs and selling them as complete packages (Didn’t anyone make this guy sign a non-compete contract?), he’s also going to do the same for the new Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro.

Branded as SMS, the first vehicle the company will release will be based on the new Dodge Challenger.

Saleen’s old company, Saleen Inc., secured OEM status (meaning that each Saleen vehicle was registered as a Saleen and not a Ford). It appears as though SMS will do the same with the first two reworked and rebadged Challengers being called the SMS 570 and SMS 570X. The two models will produce 500 and 700hp respectively.

Each vehicle will also receive a ground-up transformation, including new aerodynamics, suspension components and interior work.

The modified Challengers will be followed shortly thereafter by an SMS version of the 2010 Mustang, called the SMS 460.

Visit www.smslimitedusa.com for more info.

[Source: The Detroit News]

With the Continental GT Speed and Flying Spur Speed, it was only time before Bentley released a GTC Speed. And that time is now.

With 600hp it is the most powerful convertible Bentley has ever produced. Even more amazing is that while the horsepower number has increased by nine percent, the torque number has gone up 15 percent. Torque is now rated at 553 ft-lbs. Combined, this is enough to propel the massive convertible to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

The Continental GTC Speed will also be able to hit an astounding 200 mph! (Although “only” 195 mph is possible with the top down).

The GTC Speed features plenty of unique design elements include blacked out radiator and lower air intake grilles, larger 20×9.5-inch wheels, larger exhaust pipes and a new trunk lid spoiler.

Handling is improved thanks to a lower and stiffer suspension

Bentley expects that the Speed model will account for two-thirds of future GTC sales.

Bentley GTC Speed:

Complete specifications after the jump:

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After almost three decades of selling cars and trucks in North American, Isuzu has announced that it will stop selling its two models as of January 31st, 2009 and cease light-vehicle operations on this continent.

The news was not exactly a surprise as Isuzu’s remaining two models are based on General Motors platforms that are no longer being manufactured. The Ascender SUV is based on the Chevrolet Trailblazer/GMC Envoy XL and the i-290/i-370 pickup truck is based on the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon.

Isuzu sold just 4,758 vehicles in 2008, down from 7,098 in 2007 and a far cry from the company’s record 123,565 vehicles in 1987.

The company has said it will support current owners with parts and service. Isuzu’s North American commercial truck business will not be effected.

[Source Kelly Blue Book & Motor Trend]