In an interview with Hummer CEO Jim Taylor, The Detroit Bureau found out plenty about the company’s future plans under it’s new owner, Chinese heavy machinery maker Tengzhong.

In the short term Taylor says that the Hummer H3S will be built in a GM facility in Shreveport alongside the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon.

Looking into the future, however, Taylor says that he expects future product development to happen in the U.S. – although where Hummer decides to set up shop will depend on what state gives the automaker the best incentive. As for the company’s main initiatives, they will be to build smaller vehicles that get better fuel economy.

Taylor said that the H4 is coming and that in the next five years Hummer will definitely have some sort of alternative energy vehicle, be it a hybrid, electric or diesel. In fact, he pointed out that Hummer already sells a diesel-powered H3 in South Africa – it just doesn’t meet U.S. emissions standards.

When asked if Hummer would go even smaller than the H4, Taylor said that it was an ongoing topic of discussion. He did, however, add that the most important thing for the company will be meeting stricter fuel-economy regulations, hinting that smaller and more fuel-efficient Hummers might be more of a necessity than a desire.

Additionally, Taylor commented that the trademark image of the brand is likely to change, as the bold Hummer grille and steeply raked windscreen is actually a hindrance to highway fuel-economy.

Most importantly, however, he outlined that Tengzhong is a company with deep pockets and is committed to the brand long term. The auto industry can chew through cash extremely quickly and so to ensure the longevity of the Hummer brand, it was necessary to find a company that was willing and able to look long term.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Recently spy photographers captured a Lamborghini out testing on the Nürburgring, and while it was speculated this model might be the upcoming replacement for the Murciélago, that seems unlikely – especially as that car won’t debut until 2012.

Instead it appears as though Lamborghini might be resurrecting the Jota name and building a track version (or more likely a track-oriented) version of the Murcie.

Autogspot is reporting from their sources the Lamborghini is in fact preparing a new model, with an engine based on the 6.4-liter V12 monster that powers all of the top-level Lambos.

Apparently the wheelbase will be shorter and the car will be wider – which is certainly in keeping with the way the car spotted on the Nürburgring looks.

Light-weight materials will also be used, including plenty of carbon fiber for the body panels.

[Source: Autogspot]

Thanks to the folks over at Autoblog and one of their readers we have these new spy photos of the upcoming Suzuki Kizashi mid-sized sedan. It’s hard to tell much with all the body-cladding on the car, but it does appear as though a nice rear end design is in the works – even if the rest of the car is rather subdued. That, however, is to be expected on a car that Suzuki hopes will compete with the likes of the Chevy Malibu and Toyota Camry.

Included in the photos are the first pictures of the interior that we’ve seen, and it looks up to par. The two-tone dash, along with the stylized center stack and use of several different materials is an impressive surprise.

Suzuki is expected to have the Kizashi (if that is to be the vehicles name) on sale in the U.S. by December. It is expected to be offered with a standard four-cylinder as well as an optional V6, plus the potential for AWD.

There is also a strong possibility that a wagon and a crossover based on this car will make it to marker shortly thereafter.

GALLERY: Suzuki Kizashi Spy Photos

[Source: Autoblog]

General Motors has reached an agreement with the Penske Automotive Group on the sale of its Saturn brand. An official announcement is expected to be made by both parties later today.

The Penske Automotive Group was thought to be one of the front-runners in the bidding war, which also reportedly included Nissan/Renault, Mitsubishi and investment firm Telesto Ventures.

The news comes just days after GM sold off its Hummer brand to Chinese industrial equipment manufacturer Tengzhong.

The Penske Automotive Group is comprised of several key automotive related companies and boasts the second largest dealer network in the U.S., accounting for sales of 171,872 vehicles in 2008.

Penske also distributes the SMART car throughout the United States under a deal with Mercedes parent company Daimler.

As a former race car driver, Roger Penske continues to be involved in motorsports, and currently runs teams in three major racing series: the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and the Indy Racing League (IRL).

The sale of Saturn would leave GM with just the Swedish brand Saab to dispose of. It has been reported that buyers for Saab have been narrowed down to just two: Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg and the U.S.-based Renco Group.

The news was reported this morning in the New York Times, which also said that after an initial contract with GM runs out, the Penske operated Saturn brand is expected to sell Renault vehicles in the United States. Does this mean North America will finally get cars like the Clio and Megane…. or even the Megane R.S.? (pictured above)

[Source: New York Times]

The U.S. Air Force has teamed up with Galpin Auto Sports to create two fighter-jet inspired pieces of American muscle.

Based in Van Nuys, California, Galpin is best known for taking horrible cars and turning them into abominations on MTV’s Pimp My Ride. The group at Galpin also built the KITT Mustang for the widely unsuccessful 2008 Knight Rider series.

While arguably both the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger under these Galpin creations have been ruined, there is a undeniable coolness to both. And that is what the U.S. Air Force is hoping young men and women (although we suspect mostly men) will think, as it uses the vehicles to show the technical and mechanical job opportunities available in the Air Force.

Called the X1, the modified Mustang gets a complete aerodynamic overhaul and a stunning coat of matte-white paint. Under the hood there’s a 4.6-liter V8 that’s been pumped up to 500hp thanks to some Ford Racing heads, new cams and long tube headers.

The real changes, however, are inside where a single fighter-jet seat sits front and center and is surrounded by numerous screens and jet controls. The screens have the ability to show objects ahead through both night vision and thermal imaging.

As for the Dodge Challenger, it’s been transformed into a stealthy machine and has been given the name Vapor. Along with a wider set of fenders and plenty of other body work it gets matte-black paint that actually absorbs radar. Also included are a set of carbon fiber wheels, a proximity sensor and a 360 degree camera that can see a full quarter mile.

Inside the Challenger also gets plenty of screens and aircraft controls, as well as a full heads up display on the windshield that can show both thermal and night vision.

And to complete the stealthy look, the Vapor also gets a special exhaust setup that allows it to run silently.

GALLERY: Galpin Ford Mustang X1

GALLERY: Galpin Dodge Challenger Vapor

[Source: egmcartech.com]

Motorsports is all about bending the rules. And as they say, if you’re not cheating, you’re losing. Chris Rado and his World Racing Scion tC are not losing.

In fact, at the recent Redline Time Attack at Willow Springs Rado dominated in the front-wheel drive Unlimited class posting a 1:22.623 lap time – setting a new record for a front-wheel drive vehicle at the track.

How did he do it? Isn’t it obvious? He stuck a ridiculous looking wing on the front of his tC race car, giving those front tires all the downforce they need.

We’re certain all the other competitors laughed at him… while he sprayed them with champagne from the top of the podium.

[Source: Speedhunters]

[Photography: Mike Garrett]

Those 789 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers that were cut loose by Chrysler as a part of its bankruptcy and restructuring plan have until June 9th (next Tuesday) to part with their remaining inventory.

Because of the dealership contract that they signed, dealers aren’t allowed to sell off the cars once the contract expires. And because Chrysler is in bankruptcy protection, it doesn’t have to buy the cars back either.

Chrysler has said that it will help the 789 dealers move their inventory to the remaining Chrysler dealerships, but it won’t give any guarantees on the amount of money those dealerships will have to pay for the remaining vehicles. And considering the circumstances, the terminated dealers don’t exactly have much faith in their parent company right now.

As a result, dealerships are slashing prices. CNN visited Pohanka Chrysler-Dodge in Leesburg, Virginia, where the dealership has slashed prices on some models by as much as 40 percent. A brand new Dodge Nitro, which lists for  $29,170 now has a sticker price of just $17,510.

Owner Ray O’Bryhim even says prices may get lower as the June 9th deadline approaches.

When Chrysler’s 789 dealers received noticication that their contracts would not be renewed, they had an inventory of roughly 44,000 cars.

MINI’s upcoming crossover has been rumored for quite some time and now thanks to the folks at Carscoop we have these spy photos off the small SUV out testing. Maybe we’re Doubting Thomases for not having fully believed MINI would build such a  vehicle, or maybe we just didn’t want to believe it. Still, if anyone can make a crossover handle well and be fun to drive, it’s the folks at MINI.

Unofficially dubbed the Crossman, the MINI crossover is larger than the Clubman and if the concept vehicle first shown at the Paris Auto Show is any clue, it will measure 159.5-inches in length, be 72-inches wide and 62.9-inches high. Comparatively, a standard MINI Cooper measures 143.9- x 66.5- x 56.2-inches.

CarScoop is reporting that the Crossman’s architecture is loosely based on that of the upcoming BMW X1 – which has been reported to be 3-Series chassis. This would allow the crossover to have all-wheel drive – likely a version of BMW xDrive.

The Crossman will be manufactured outside the U.K. in Magna Steyr’s Austria facility and is expected to arrive in 2010 as a 2011 model.

GALLERY: 2011 MINI Crossover

[Source: CarScoop]

Nissan is launching a limited Europe-only Nürburgring Edition of its 370Z. But don’t worry if you don’t live in Europe… it’s not as exciting as it sounds.

The cars are inspired by the bright yellow racers that competed at this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hour race and will share the same Premium Ultimate Yellow paint. They will also get special decals, a Cobra exhaust system, a numbered plaque and 19-inch OZ wheels with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tires, that measure 255/40/19 up front and 285/35/19 out back.

And… well… that’s it.

According to CarScoop, Nissan’s press release doesn’t say anything about suspension modifications and the Z will continue to be powered by the standard 331hp 3.7-liter V6.

Pricing is set at $50,400 Euros ($71,700) and buyers will also get a $215 gift card for the Nürburgring – which should buy at least a few laps.

Just 80 of the Nissan 370Z Nürburgring Edition models will be produced.

NOTE: Nissan has yet to release any photos of the 370Z Nürburgring Edition. The picture above is purely for illustrative purposes.

[Source: CarScoop]

It seems like there is a new update in the Saab and Saturn sell-off every day… so why stop now. Yesterday we reported that the list of Saab buyers was down to three and now that list has been shortened to just two suitors.

Saab CEO Jan-Ake Jonsson told Swedish business paper Dagens Industri that there are now just two parties in the running. He also said that the final negotiations could happen as early as this week.

“This can go fast now and should absolutely be wrapped up in a maximum of two weeks,” he said in a report.

Fiat has recently denied rumors that it was interested int he purchase of the Saab brand and so that leaves Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg and the U.S.-based Renco Group.

[Source: Reuters]