Robert “Bob” Lutz is quite a personality. He flies fighter jets, rides super-bikes and even at age 79, he is one of the most wanted guys in the automotive industry.

He has worked for all the main American car firms, and was recently also linked as an advisor to Lotus. But perhaps what he is most well-known for is putting General Motors on the right track.

While he might officially be retired, GM still wants his advice and according to reports, would like him to come in as a paid consultant.

Lutz said in a recent interview that he has “the utmost respect for the GM management. If they want me back as a consultant, I’d be very happy to consider it.”

Lutz has been credited with the development of the Chevrolet Volt, and pushing ideas such as the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky into production. From the looks of things, the Lutz era with GM is far from over.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Don’t label RUF Automobiles as a mere Porsche tuner. They install enough of their own parts in Porsche bodies to be considered by the German government to be an independent manufacturer. And while Porsche is experimenting with electricity on their own, RUF has beaten them to the punch, with three different electric drivetrains, stuffed in ten Porsche testers, with help from electronics giant Siemens and the German government.

The ten cars are Porsche 997 Carreras with three completely different drivetrains. The first car has a single electric motor and a single-speed gearbox, draining a 29kWh battery for range of approximately 90 miles and a 0-60 time of seven seconds. The second has two motors, mounted transversely, and a two-speed gearbox. This one has a 36.6kWh battery and has been tested at 335 horsepower, beating the above car in speed (0-60 in five seconds and range (120 miles). The third prototype has the same motor and battery as the second car, but this gets two separate gearboxes. Each motor and gearbox drives a rear wheel, giving the car precise torque vectoring and cornering ability. Performance is similar to the second car.

At least one of these cars will be shown at Geneva.

Ruf has built electric Porsche prototypes before, with the eRuf Model A, the Greenster, and the Stormster. But these cars show how far the company’s progressed in bringing together the concepts of electric power and high performance. The future is here, ladies and gentlemen, and the twin motor/gearbox prototype sounds the most space-age to us.

[Source: RUF Automobile]

Due to increasingly strict fuel economy standards, Lotus was forced to scrap its 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine for the Elise and Exige in Europe. The good news is that the smaller 1.6-liter engine now in use helps cut a little more weight from the car, dropping it down to just 1,931 lbs.

For years Lotus has offered a special Club Racer track version of the Elise to customers and this year is no different. Set to gets its official debut at the Geneva Auto Show, Lotus has released a selection of photos and full details on the new car that can be ordered even lighter than the street model. Through a series of deleted part options, the hardest-core of Lotus track racers can take delivery of an Elise Club Racer that weights just 1,876 lbs.

Those who intend to only use the car on the track can even order a Club Racer Power Pack, that ups the engine’s output slightly from 134-hp and 118 lb-ft to 140-hp and 22 lb-ft. Those changes might not sound like much, but in a light weight package like the Elise it’s sure to make some difference. It’s already quite a surprise that a car with just 134-hp can hit 60 mph in 6.0 seconds.

Also included in the Club Racer model is a DPM (Dynamic Performance Management) system with a Sport setting that limits interference by the stability control system. Designed to help less experienced drivers, Lotus also allows a full shut-off of the electronic nannies. Plus, the Elise CR gets all the toys like Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs and adjustable sway bars.

Look for more photos from the Geneva Auto Show on March 1st. Until then, see AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Geneva Auto Show preview here.

GALLERY: Lotus Elise Club Racer

Lamborghini is continuing to build hype ahead of the reveal of its new supercar at the Geneva Auto Show, releasing a teaser video of the car in action.

Showing more of the exterior of the car as well as a few interior shots, it’s almost possible to make out the new gauge display that Lamborghini has said won’t actually house any physical instruments, but will instead be a display screen.

Perhaps more exciting, near the end of the clip we’re treated to the incredible sounds coming from the 690-hp 6.5-liter V12 engine.

The Aventador is set to debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Until then, see AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Geneva Auto Show Preview here.

See the video after the jump:

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Honda has announced a recall of 700,000 Fits worldwide, with 97,000 in the U.S., for a problem with valvetrain springs, which may break and cause the engine to stall.

The recall has caused no injuries so far, yet Honda is taking no chances: the recall covers the Fit, the Freed and the City models across world markets. There are 122,000 vehicles affected in North America in total, and the rest include 176,000 in Japan, 156,000 in China, and 233,000 in other Asian countries.

72 reports of the valvetrain problem in Japan prompted the recall, and 29 more complaints came from elsewhere in the world.

Forget hybrids and EVs, at least in the short term anyway. Improving fuel economy without losing power or adding cost is a job best suited to the turbocharger.

That, at least, is the thinking over at BMW, where the company plans that every new 4-cylinder engine it rolls out will be turbocharged in some form. And thanks to turbocharging, BMW will look to replace current inline six-cylinder engines (something it’s become famous for) with turbocharged 4-bangers.

The automaker’s fist step in this direction will come with the introduction of the X1 xDrive28i model (above) at the Geneva Auto Show, which will replace the current 3.0-liter straight-six with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that uses BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve control system, as well as a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct-injection.

At 245-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque it’s down 13-hp on the old engine but up 30 more lb-ft and BMW claims a 0.7 second improvement to 62-mph, plus a 4.8-mpg gain.

One of the most advanced versions of the engine, look for this powerplant to roll out and replace all of the naturally aspirated straight-six engines in the near future, including in the next generation 3 Series.

[Source: AutoCar]

After first debuting the car in Montreal, we had our first chance to snap some live pics of the limited edition Mercedes C63 AMG Affalterbach Edition at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

With just 30 units being made specifically for Canada the car was designed at AMG headquarters in Affalterbach, Germany. Finished in a unique MAGNO Allanite Grey (matte gray), the C63 gets custom black AMG 19-inch wheels with red AMG brakes, as well as carbon fiber mirror housings and a rear lip spoiler on the trunk.

Inside, the interior gets reworked with custom leatherwork with the Affalterbach logo on the headrests, while red stitching adds even more style to the Nappa leather sport seats. There’s an Affalterbach logo on the gearshift, plus an AMG carbon fiber package, not to mention special AMG floormats. And of course, each model gets its own Affalterbach Edition badge identifying exactly which of the 30 it is.

The 6.2-liter V8 gets the AMG Performance Package, upping power to 481-hp and delivering a 0-62 mph time of 4.4 seconds, while also adding on a limited slip differential and deleting the top speed limiter.

The price of $81,500 (CDN dollars) seems hard to swallow at first when you consider the base C63 costs $63,600, when you add on that AMG Package plus the included Premium Package and you’re already at 76,900. So really, it’s a small price to pay for some nice paint and a lot of exclusivity.

GALLERY: Mercedes C63 AMG Affalterbach Edition

Mercedes-Benz delivered a surprise at the Canadian International Auto Show today, giving the world premiere to the new SLK roadster. OK, technically it wasn’t the world premiere of the car, but that occurred at a private event in Stuttgart, so this is the first public showing of the luxury drop-top.

With Merc’s new design, the SLK also gets a restyled interior that’s not only more attractive than in the past, but a big step forward in terms of overall luxury – this is Mercedes-Benz after all.

Also new for 2012 is what Mercedes is calling the Magic Sky Control feature on the car’s retractable roof that allows it to let in more or less light through the glass top.

On hand at the show in Toronto was the SLK350 with a direct-injection version of the company’s 3.5L V6 engine making 302-hp and delivering a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. Mercedes has also announced plans to introduce an entry-level SLK250 turbocharged 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 201-hp and a 6.5 second time to 60-mph.

GALLERY: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350

Despite being known for its engine building prowess, Honda‘s new 2012 Civic does not live up to rivals in delivering the new 40-mpg benchmark number, set by cars like the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. In fact, Honda falls one short, with a 39-mpg highway rating.

Powered by a 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, the new Civic may, however, have one surprise left, with Honda not yet disclosing city fuel economy. With the 1.8-liter a smaller powerplant than those used by rivals, the average fuel economy number may still come out on top.

What is amazing, is that Honda is able to achieve a number so close without the use of turbocharging, direct-injection or even a 6-speed transmission. Yup, the 2012 Honda Civic still relies on a 5-speed box.

Those looking for improved fuel economy can opt for a special HF model that makes use of special aerodynamic pieces, as well as Honda’s ECO Assist technology that coaches drivers on how to get maximum fuel economy to help deliver 41-mpg highway.

Maximum Honda fuel economy is available with a new Civic Hybrid that gets a 4-mpg bump to achieve a 45-mpg combined rating, while those with a penchant for performance can turn to the Civic Si with a larger 2.4-liter 4-cylinder making 200-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque.

GALLERY: 2012 Honda Civic

Get more news and info on the 9th generation Honda Civic at 9thGenCivic.com

Honda has just unveiled its 9th generation Civic for the 2012 model year, including a very fuel efficient hybrid model. With the standard 1.8-liter models expected to get a 39-mpg highway rating, the hybrid will achieve a 45-mpg average, making it the second most fuel efficient vehicle on the market, second only to the Toyota Prius.

Helping the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and electric motor combo achieve an increase of 4-mpg over the current model is a lithium-ion battery pack – the first use of the more modern batteries in a Honda.

Both the Civic Hybrid and the Civic HF (a special fuel economy model rated at 41-mpg highway) will make use of special aerodynamic pieces, as well as Honda’s ECO Assist technology that coaches drivers on how to get maximum fuel economy.

Get more news and info on the 9th generation Honda Civic at 9thGenCivic.com