The California New Car Dealers Association is accusing Chrysler of operating a factory store illegally in the Los Angeles area. The showroom, dubbed Motor Village L.A., was designed to boost Chrysler’s profile and show off their revised product lineup, as well as the new Fiat brand.

The dealer group filed a petition with the California New Motor Vehicle Board, asking for an investigation and disciplinary action against Chrysler, including a possible revocation of their business license. The dealer group alleges that proprietor Howard Drake lacks any financial stake in the business, making it illegitimate. Motor Village also is within a 10 mile radius of other independently owned Chrysler stores, which violates California law.

In a statement, Chrysler spokesman Ralph Kisiel said “looks forward to discussing the matter with the Department of Motor Vehicles.”

[Source: Automotive News]

What’s one simple way to extend range on the next-gen Fisker gasoline-electric powered car? Cut pork from the gasoline-engine side of the equation by using a lighter-weight, three- or four-cylinder engine.

According to information leaked by very knowledgeable sources, Fisker is weighing the feasibility of a dedicated range-extended engine after the current crop of Karma models has been launched.

The idea would be to slash anywhere from 110-160 pounds or so from next-gen models’ curb weight by replacing the 255-horsepower, 2.0-liter GM Ecotec engine, which was originally designed for a gas-only car.

The GM four-cylinder “LNF” turbocharged engine weighs about 360 pounds. Fisker is reportedly looking for a 200- to 250-pound turbo to feed the lithium-ion battery in its future cars.

The 1.2-liter Lotus Engineering three-cylinder is one likely candidate. It is produced with Fagor Ederlan Group in Spain, and is said to be the front-runner in consideration for the next iterations.

Fisker’s present generation cars are being built in Finland, according to a Fisker spokesperson. After Q4 of next year, they will be built in a former GM plant in Delaware.

[Source: Autoblog]

While we won’t have final March sales numbers until Thursday evening, but for the first time since February of 2010, Ford looks set to beat GM in sales figures, with 210,000 units sold.

GM won’t fare so badly, with a projected 208,000 cars and trucks moved in March. GM’s slump – and Ford’s success – has been attributed to a reduction on incentives by the General, and Ford’s bump in factory money. GM was previously the industry leader in incentives.

While Japanese automakers like Toyota, Honda and Nissan reported strong showings, the natural disasters in Japan may prove to be a thorn in their side, and Edmunds has already reported a downturn in sales for March, based on these events, as well as higher gas prices.

[Source: Edmunds]

The guys at the well-regarded motorsports blog Axis Of Oversteer are building a car for the annual One Lap of America race, and their weapon of choice, a BMW M Coupe, looks to be the ultimate expression of what the Bavarian brand can do, mating an older M Coupe chassis with a fully built E39 M5 V8 motor, built by Dinan.

With a full suite of carbon fiber body panels and an estimated 600 horsepower being made by the Dinan motor, the M Coupe should be an absolute weapon on the track portions of the One Lap Event. Check out the video below to hear the Axis M Coupe fire up for the first time.

[Source and Photo Credit: Axis Of Oversteer]

Brum BMW Z3M rev test from AxisOfOversteer on Vimeo.

Dual-clutch transmissions are becoming increasingly popular offerings by all automakers in the search to save every drop of fuel. But the auto-boxes have another benefit: not only do they shift faster than a traditional slushbox, they easily out-match your best manual-transmission heel-toe efforts.

Combine those two qualities and you’ve got a solution that will please the greenies and performance junkies, so it’s no surprise that everyone from Hyundai to Ford are now offering dual-clutch gearboxes.

But long before it was popular, Volkswagen introduced its DCT, the DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox). Debuting in the golf R32 and Audi TT in 2003, VW is now celebrating 3.5 million DSG units produced. Initially offered for mid-range vehicles, VW has since developed versions compatible with smaller engines, and more recently with high-performance large-displacement engines for the Audi brand.

Almost all of the DSG units were manufactured at the automaker’s Kassel Plant in Germany, while just over 100,000 have been manufactured in China.

Honda has announced it will recall 2,800 of its new Odyssey minivans to replace the windows on both front doors. The recall affects only 2011 model year versions of the Odyssey due to glass that can become detached from the mechanism that moves it, causing it to become stuck either open or closed.

No injuries or crashes have been reported in connection to the recall.

Honda will begin to notify owners in mid-April. Those with questions are encouraged to visit www.recalls.honda.com or call 800-999-1009 and select option 4.

Earlier this month, Honda issued another recall for the 2011 Odyssey for windshield wipers that could break in icy conditions.

After Mazda announced last week that it would halt orders on U.S. deliveries of all Japan-made cars, Honda has now decided to follow a similar action. Informing dealers that they can no longer order Japan-build cars, retailers will be forced to move only what is on their lot until the Japanese supply chain can be mended.

Vehicles affected by the order include hybrid models like the CR-Z, Insight and Civic Hybrid, as well as some CR-V models (many of which are also build in North America). The Acura luxury division has also been affected, with the TSX and RL also made in Japan.

With current dealer inventories, this shouldn’t pose a product shortage unless the delay is lengthy.

Other Japanese automakers, including Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota, have yet to announce any such supply chain issues.

With an all new design direction that’s drawing lookers, Kia is set to branch out and explore some niche market vehicles in a bid to build up its reputation as a fun, youthful brand. A rumored roadster is in the works, but there’s still no word on a Genesis Coupe rival and now come reports that a Veloster twin isn’t in the plans either.

According to Kia Australia PR boss Kevin Hepworth, the company currently has no intention of building such a model – which is a bit surprising considering how perfectly the car fits the brand image the Korean automaker is looking to cultivate.

Recent reports have indicated Kia will get a small roadster, although it’s not yet clear if it will be rear-wheel drive. Kia has also indicated plans to move ahead with a rear-drive luxury sedan based on the Genesis Sedan.

[Source: CarAdvice.com.au]

Destined for dealers some time in 2012, the Audi S8 could debut as early as the Frankfurt Auto Show this Fall. Along with what will no doubt be the largest grille ever fitted to a production car, the S8 will be powered by the company’s new turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine making an impressive 520-hp.

Past S8 iterations were less than impressive with a naturally aspirated Lamborghini V10 that was harder on your wallet than it was on the asphalt. The new high-torque engine with Audi’s new lighter chassis should make for an impressive turnaround for the car, especially when equipped with the usual S goodies, like larger wheels, upgraded brakes and a stiffer suspension.

Look for a sticker price above $100,000.

[Source: Car & Driver]

Mercedes has announced a total of six debuts at the upcoming New York Auto Show, two of which will be world premiers. The first of those two has already been revealed as the C63 AMG Coupe, while the second is still unknown. Mercedes has, however, said the car will be from its high-performance AMG division, raising speculation that it will be the roadster version of the SLS – just in time for Spring.

Other North American debuts include the C-Class Coupe, 2012 C-Class Sedan and the 2012 SLK (even though it’s actually already been shown at the Canadian International Auto Show).

As for the sixth and final vehicle, the press release makes no mention of it, with speculation suggesting a concept car that will form the basis of anything from the next B-Class to the new compact crossover below the GLK.

For more on the NY Auto Show debuts and full coverage see AutoGuide’s 2011 New York Auto Show page here.