VIDEO: GM Brings Chevy Volt to Classic Car Gathering in California

The new Chevrolet Volt hybrid is making the rounds in the California area as General Motors has brought a pre-production model to the sunny State for this week's Los Angeles Auto Show. The Detroit automaker's Chief Engineer, Andrew Farah, took the Volt to two popular enthusiast destinations, at Bob's Big Boy in Burbank and Cars & Coffee in Irvine. Hit the break to hear all the positive things (it's an official GM video, what did you expect...) that the people who attended the event had to say about the Volt.

Alfa Romeo Milano / Giulietta Uncovered: Will Be Available with Five Engines Including a 235HP 1.7-Liter Turbo

We're still in the dark about the name and the presentation date of 147's replacement as according to reports, Alfa Romeo was forced to drop the Milano name and postpone today's unveiling at the very last moment due to a conflict with its Milan-based workers (details here). The same reports suggest that Alfa might use the Giulietta nametag instead. In any case, and until the Italians come out with official photos, here's what our inside sources confirmed to us about Alfa's sporty compact hatchback.

The Italian automaker's offering in the premium hatchback segment, which will most probably compete against the likes of the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 as well as the more powerful versions of the Seat Leon 5d, will make its world debut at the Geneva Salon in March 2010.

European sales are scheduled to start in Spring of the same year.

Designed by the Fiat Group's 'Centro Stile Alfa Romeo', the new hatch measures 4,350mm in length, 1,460 mm in height and 1,800 mm in width featuring a wheelbase of 2,630mm. This means it is slightly longer, taller and wider than the current 147.

From what we were told, Alfa's five-door hatch will be available at launch with a total of four, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. These include the 1.4-liter TB and 1.4-liter TB Multiair petrols with 120HP and 170HP respectively, and the 1.6-liter JTDM and 2.0-liter JTDM diesels with 105HP and 170HP respectively.

Shortly after, the range will be complemented by the addition of a sporty "Quadrifoglio Verde" (four-leaf clover) version powered by Alfa's 1.7-liter (1,750cc) four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine delivering a notable 235 horsepower.

Photos via: Facebook

Renault UK Launches New Entry-Level Version of Laguna Coupe

Just in time for the Christmas season, Renault's UK arm has introduced a new entry-level version of the Laguna Coupe that's priced at £19,995 MRRP. Based on the dCi 150 diesel model, the Laguna Coupe Tom-Tom adds a Carminat TomTom navigation system, automatic parking brake and a satin chrome centre console with Renault claiming that the price represents a saving of over £2,100 compared to the previous entry-level version when equipped to a similar level.

Other standard features include an Arkamys 3D Sound 140W audio system with MP3 CD reader and Bluetooth, 18-inch alloy wheels, eight airbags, automatic lights and wipers, dual zone climate control, electric heated door mirrors, MP3 player connection, rear parking sensors, "Super Fold" rear seat system and xenon headlights.

The new Laguna Coupe Tom-Tom dci150 is available for order now with first deliveries expected in January, 2010.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Italian Police Car Crashes Into Parked Vehicles

Only a year after joining the ranks of the Italian State Police, and the world famous Lamborghini LP560-4 Polizia has been totaled in a weird crash that occurred near Cremona this past weekend. Italy's Corriere Della Sera newspaper reported that the police officer in the 560-horsepower 'Raging Bull' supercar was allegedly cruising on the road when a vehicle pulled out all of a sudden from of a petrol station.

In order to avoid a head-on collision, the police officer swerved and crashed into a couple of parked cars. As you can see in the photo shots in the video below, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 ended up, or rather under a Mercedes-Benz A-Class...

The newspaper said that the police officers in the driver and passenger seat of the Lamborghini were slightly injured.

Sources: Corriere Della Sera, The Guardian and Youreporter, Via: Autoblog.it

ATT-TEC Presents BMW M3 Thunderstorm with 500HP Supercharged V8

Germany's ATT-TEC has developed a new performance package for the latest generation BMW M3 models. The main event of the firm's tune is the addition of a compressor and a unique exhaust system that give the M3's 4.0-liter V8 engine an 80HP boost for a total output of 500 horsepower. ATT said that the price for engine retrofitting is €11,749 or about US$ 17,600, including installation.

The package also bundles a KW coilover suspension Variant 3 priced at €2,029 (US$3,050) and 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 rubber size 245/30 ZR20 up front and 285/25 ZR20 at the back for a total cost of €3,475 (US$5,200).

The tire set is completed by 20 mm distance washers (€393 or US$586) on the front and rear axles.

An interior styling kit with carbon fiber parts or for the more adventurous, decorative Swarovski crystals, is offered as an option.

New VW Polo is 'Car of the Year 2010'

Volkswagen's "mini-me Golf", the fifth-generation Polo, has won the coveted 'Car of the Year' award for 2010 with 347 points against 337 for the Toyota iQ mini which came in second. The new Opel / Vauxhall Astra, which was considered by many a favorite to snatch the award and continue General Motors' success with the Insignia that won the 2009 title, finished in third place receiving 221 points.

The other finalists for this year's competition, which brings together a total of 59 motoring journalists from 23 European countries, were the Skoda Yeti with 158 points, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class with 155 points, the Peugeot 3008 with 144 points and the Citroen Picasso with 113 points.

Car of the Year 2010

1. Volkswagen Polo - 347 points

2. Toyota iQ - 337 points

3. Vauxhall Astra - 221 points

4. Skoda Yeti - 158 points

5. Mercedes-Benz E-class - 155 points

6. Peugeot 3008 - 144 points

7. Citroen C3 Picasso - 113 points

2011 Ford Mustang gets New 305HP V6 and Optional Performance Package

Well, it was about time; Ford has finally decided to equip its base Mustang with a modern V6 engine to compete against GM's 'been there, done that' 2010 Camaro V6. In particular, Ford will replace the 2010MY's obsolete 4.0-liter V6 with its comical output of 210HP and 240 lb-ft of torque with an all-aluminum Duratec 3.7-liter DOHC Ti-VCT V6 that delivers 305 horsepower and 280 ft.-lb.

That's only 10HP and 45 lb-ft of torque less than the current Mustang GT's 4.6L V8.

In another technological breakthrough for Ford (...), the new V6 will be coupled to six-speed transmissions, either manual or automatic. We remind you that the 2010 Mustang V6 and V8 models are offered with 5-speed gearboxes.

"The Mustang is completely transformed with this new engine," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. "Everything people love about the car is still there and now under the hood is a V-6 engine that uses premium technology to deliver the power, the feel, the fuel efficiency, even the sound of the best sports coupes in the world."

Combined with other improvements such as the new Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system and aerodynamic upgrades including a new front fascia, tire spats on the rear wheels, modified underbody shields, a taller air dam and an added rear decklid seal, the new Mustang V6 also offers improved fuel efficiency over the outgoing model.

Ford says that the version with the manual gearbox returns 18 mpg city and 29 highway, up from 18 mpg city and 26 highway on the 2010 model.

With the 6-speed automatic, the 2011 Mustang V6 gets 19 mpg city and 30 highway, up from 16 mpg city and 24 highway on the 2010 model, which represents a 25 percent improvement.

Ford has yet to release any performance figures for the 2011 Mustang V6.

Other mechanical improvements for the new model year include a revised suspension with new damper tuning and spring rates as well as a new rear lower control arm and stiffened stabilizer bar while there's also larger four-wheel ABS disc brakes, with 11.5 inch front and 11.8 inch rear rotors.

In addition, all 2011 V6 models will come standard with new instrument cluster featuring a speedometer that reads up to 160 mph and a tachometer that reads to 8,000 rpm, plus additional lightweight soundproofing measures in the interior.

There will also be a new Performance Package that will be available from August 2010. It includes features such as a 3.31 rear axle ratio, a sportier suspension setup, 19-inch wheels with performance tires, a strut tower brace for increased chassis rigidity and a specific electronic stability control calibration with sport mode.

The 2011 Mustang V6 will make its first public appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week.