With the production Chevy Volt set to debut later this month and sales to start by the end of the year, General Motors is announcing that up to 4,400 early adopters could receive free home charging stations. Its not GM that will provide the charging stations, but rather the U.S. Department of energy, with two companies, ECOtality and Coulomb Technologies having agreed to install 1,600 and 1,800 chargers, respectively. In total, the DOE is planning to install 15,000 plug-in chargers across the country.

Buyers be ware, however, as the charger might not be entirely free. A more detailed analysis of the Chevy press release reveals that that chargers are expected to cost around $2,000 – while the DOE project is likely to save Volt owners anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000. In other words, Volt buyers could be left covering the difference. Still, any discount is a good discount.

Official release after the jump:

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BMW has just announced the released of a new special and very limited edition M3 for the U.S. market. Titled the Frozen Gray M3 Coupe, just 30 will be built and sold at a cost of $77,600. We expected something pretty special when BMW sent us a few teaser images earlier in the week, but feared it might just be a special edition. In fact, there’s not much here that we haven’t seen in the Frozen Matte Black M3.

Along with the special paint, this new limited edition model gets BMW’s Competition Package, which includes a 10mm lower suspension, 19-inch wheels, Electronic Damping Control and a more hard-core M Dynamic Mode. Also included is BMW’s 7-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission, along with the Technology and Premium package with Novillo leather.

No enhancements to the 414-hp 4.0-liter V8 have been made. We were really hoping for a power increase, even if its not needed. As it stands, the M3 Frozen Gray Coupe can hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

Those interested in obtaining one of super rare cars will have to call BMW at 1-800-245-4269 after 11:30 a.m. EST on Monday, June 21st.

We like it an all, but included in official press release is news of the M3s 25th anniversary. We certainly hope this isn’t THE 25th Anniversary M3.

GALLERY: BMW M3 Frozen Grey Coupe

Official release after the jump:

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As the minivan segment continues to shrink, those left fighting it out don’t have to be quite as innovative. Evidence of that came with the new Toyota Sienna, and now with the reveal of Honda‘s new 2011 Odyssey we’re starting to see a pattern. Perhaps, however, the minivan has reached its pinnacle and the only things left to do are polish off the rough edges and add on new minor features here and there.

Along with a partially new look, that features the “lightning bolt” design first shown on the Odyssey concept at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year, the 2011 Odyssey is both lower and wider, delivering added driving dynamics and even more space inside. Also aiding in the overall driving experience are new 18-inch wheels and even larger front brakes.

While not necessarily a great engineering breakthrough, the 2011 Odyssey does include a new three-seat second row system that allows the bench to be pulled apart, making room for three baby seats. We also like the 16.2-inch widescreen entertainment system that can operate as a split screen with two videos as once.

Other features include optional HID headlights, a power tailgate and 15 cupholders.

No engine specs are yet available, but Honda has already said the van will feature a 3.5-lier i-VTEC V6 with segment leading 19-mpg city and 28-mpg highway.

GALLERY: 2011 Honda Odyssey

Get more on the 2011 Honda Odyssey after the jump:

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Well this vehicle certainly puts a whole new meaning to the term ‘baller’. Chad OchoCinco has become more of a celebrity than a potent wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals the past couple of years, and now it’s really showing with this beautiful Rolls-Royce Phantom built in collaboration with Platinum Motorsport. Sure his fame started with changing his last name to a Spanish-rendition of the number he wears, and recently good ‘ol Carson Palmer is complaining that OchoCinco is spending more time doing television shows than working out with the team. But hey, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.

So instead of ranting more about OchoCinco’s antics and how he clearly dislikes leaving his shirt on during Dancing with the Stars, we’ll spend some time focusing on what’s been done to this luxurious automobile. We all know Rolls-Royce’s Phantom is perhaps the pinnacle of luxury cars; the luxury car on which all others are measured against.

Clearly the goal of this build was to have a presence. A menacing, statement-making presence. Platinum Motorsport refinished the entire exterior of the mini-limo in a matte gray finish full of shiny black accents rather than the traditional chrome. A fantastic touch we’re really digging is the refinish on the Spirit of Ecstasy, Rolls-Royce’s famed moniker on the hood. Massive 26-inch wheels is exactly what the Phantom demands.

It’s fitting that OchoCinco would pick a Rolls-Royce Phantom as his signature ride and this custom build truly reflects his bold and charming personality. There’s no other way to put it than to simply say, this car means business.

[Source: Luxury4Play]

See the documented build process and more pics of the finished vehicle after the jump:

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It’s no mystery what women really want… well, at least that’s the case when it comes to cars. Unlike men, who are easily swayed by bold design statements, sexy lines and flashy performance, women are more impressed by vehicles that are practical, economical and safe.

To back up the claim that women like their cars small and practical, TrueCar, a pricing intelligence firm, looked into vehicle registration data, rather than purchaser information, which allowed them to eliminate the concept of household decision-making.

Ranking highest on the list of female favorites was Kia, which scored almost 46 percent of vehicle registrations. Following at a close second is Suzuki and MINI at 44 percent. Other brands that rounded out the top 10 include Volvo, Subaru and Hyundai. As for qualities that were most important to women, safety and value topped the list at 42 percent.

When it came to price and value, all of the brands, other than MINI and Subaru, had a discount of between five and 10 percent off MSRP. Mitsubishi, which came in 10^th in the list, discounted their vehicles, on average, 10.1 percent from MSRP, while 41.5 percent of them were registered to women.

As for the men – they almost exclusively registered exotic cars and exclusive luxury vehicles. According to the survey, women bought no Bugattis (zero percent), followed by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Tesla, and Aston Martin that came in at less than 10 percent. Lotus brought up the rear, with only 10 percent bought by women.

Ranking among the top for men were truck models from GMC, Dodge, and Hummer.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Over August 13-14, during the prestigious Concours D’Elegance at Pebble Beach, Mecum Auctions will be hosting its event at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa in Monterey. And headlining will be this, a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT long wheelbase Tour de France. This particular car, (chassis number 1321) is significant in that, firstly, it’s un-restored and secondly, that it has racing pedigree. It won the gruelling Nurburgring 1000 km in 1959 and later that year finished third overall at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Belgians Jean Blaton and Leon Dernier. The car has been meticulously maintained since its winning days and has seldom changed hands, the last owner purchasing the car sometime in the 1970s. Prior to being showcased at the Del Monte Golf Course recently, the last time it was seen in public was at Road America, almost two decades ago, so anticipation for the sale is particularly high.

Mecum’s Monterey auction is currently shaping up to be a memorable one. Dana Mecum, President of the auction house, stated, “the list of vehicles continues to grow for our upcoming auction and as a result, we’ve now expanded it to two days, as more than 400 investment grade collector cars, exotic vehicles and ultra rare boats are scheduled to cross the auction block.”  It will be interesting to see how 25o GT Tour de France (chassis# 1321) will fare, especially given that high profile vintage Ferraris (especially those with significant racing pedigree) tend to go for serious money at the Monterey auctions.

[Source: Mecum Auctions]

Password JDM first established themselves as one of the premiere importers of rare and fine JDM goods. This author remembers when he had to trek over there to pick up a JDM Integra front end for one of our own project cars (back in the Modified Mag days). Their shop was filled with front clips, engines, fenders, hoods, bumpers, brakes, motors, etc. It was like a JDM fanatic’s dream come true. But recently Password JDM has expanded not only the lines they carry, but have made some products of their own. Most notable of these lines are their dry carbon/kevlar composite components. From aerodynamics to body panels to engine accessories, Password JDM has it covered for carbon.

Newest to their catalog is a fantastic line of Mitsubishi Evolution X carbon engine panels. Virtually everything that’s in sight has been replaced with lightweight, fashionable carbon fiber and it makes for some sickening eye candy. You can clearly see the high quality in the carbon fiber utilized in Password JDM’s products and the airbox and intake combination is just to die for.

So if you want some good ‘ol high quality carbon fiber that’s done right, make sure to check out what Password JDM has for you. We’ve personally never had anything but good experiences with them, so we can only imagine how nice their carbon fiber is under the hood.

[Source: Luxury4Play]

See the full gallery of Password JDM goodies for the Evo X after the jump:

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We’re starting to hear about features that will help drivers avoid certain car accidents, such as Ford’s Collision Warning System and Volvo’s City Safety (stops a vehicle from a low-speed impact). And according to Continental AG, the next big thing is on its way – the ability to avoid collisions at normal driving speeds.

Continental has developed its Emergency Steer Assist (ESA), which is suitable for vehicles that come equipped with electronic power steering and an adjustable suspension. Here’s how it works: the vehicle’s front radar first feeds information to the chassis computer. This, in turn, is calculated into closing rates and how likely it how be to perform an evasive maneuver or if a collision could take place. What’s cool about this technology is that is stiffens the suspension and offers torque assist in steering efforts that attempt to induce correcting steering maneuvers from the driver.

It’s the last part of this equation that’s so unique to this type of driving safety feature. “If the driver of a vehicle traveling at high speed has gone beyond the last possible point where braking would have an effect, it may still be possible to avoid an accident through steering, or by taking evasive action. This possibility is not yet being actively incorporated into driving safety,” said Dr. Peter Laier, Vice President of the Chassis Components for Continental.

In order for ESA to work properly, a vehicle must be fitted with sensors that monitor the road as far ahead as possible. The video images from the camera systems are combined with radar signals, which will be sent to the vehicle’s chassis. This will teach the vehicle to learn to “see” oncoming hazard situations before a collision takes place, and will send the appropriate correcting steering maneuvers to the driver.

Watch for this technology to come to a car near you in the next two to four years. Until then, you’ll just have to keep your eyes on the road and pay attention.

In a reversal of previous trends, domestic brands reported fewer aggregate quality problems than import brands for the first time in the history of J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Survey.

Domestic vehicles reported 108 problems per 100 vehicles, compared to 109 problems per 100 vehicles for imports – not a very wide margin, but an important step for domestic vehicles. Leading the domestics rise to the top was Ford, with 12 models leading their respective categories, while General Motors had 10 models leading their segments. Overall, Porsche was the big winner, with a mere 83 problems per 100 vehicles followed by Acura and Mercedes-Benz.

The big losers for 2010 were Toyota, which finished 21st with 117 problems per 100 vehicles and Land Rover, which finished dead last with 170 problems per 100 vehicles. Dodge cars reported 130 problems per 100 vehicles, a fairly poor showing, but its Ram trucks reported a respectable 110 problems per 100 vehicles, just below the industry average.

[Source: Auto Observer]

The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept made its original debut at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, but that hasn’t stopped somebody from preparing a new, topless variant.

Speculators think that since the car was spotted in Beverly Hills has led some to believe that this car is being used in the filming of the third Transformers movie, and considering GM’s partnership with the movie (remember Bumblebee’s stint as a Camaro?), we wouldn’t be surprised to see this one appear.

Gone are the Lamborghini-style doors of the coupe (for obvious reasons), and different wheels make appearance, along with a new front end with traditional, rather than LED headlights. We wouldn’t hold our breath for this to be produced any time soon, especially since Corvettes have notoriously long product cycles.

[Source: CorvetteBlogger]