Porsche 911 Nürburgring

911 model will offer KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) as standard and be part of the entire model range.
The mild-hybrid KERS will recoup energy during braking and store it in a sophisticated dedicated flywheel system.

The next-generation 911 will feature a much longer wheelbase than the current model to accommodate the new flywheel system which will be placed between the gearbox and the engine. The 2012 911 will have a wheelbase longer by 10 cm (2.75 inches) over the current generation.
That additional power storage capability should improve acceleration numbers and help reduce fuel consumption on the 911 series

Porsche Boxster Clearance Prices

The Porsche Boxster model line has a new luxurious top model in addition to the sporty Boxster Spyder: The Boxster S Black

Porsche Panamera Turbo ALMS safety car

At any of the myriad Le Mans series races around the world, you're guaranteed to see more than a proportional sampling of Porsches. Those are usually one manner of 911 GT3 or another; less so Panameras and Cayennes, but the latest additions to the American Le Mans Series paddock are exactly those.

The Porsche Panamera Turbo has been selected as the official safety car for ALMS, outfitting a stock model with a dome light and special paint scheme. It's joined in its duties by a set of Cayennes that will act as medics' emergency response vehicles, a task to which the Porsche SUV is already perfectly accustomed. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

Chevrolet Cruze ECO

2011 Chevrolet Cruze ECO

Chevrolet starts delivering the Cruze sedan in the US this September at a minimum price of US$16,995 for the baseline LS trim, including destination. Coupled with this model is a 1.8-litre Ecotec engine making 103kW (138 bhp/ 140 PS), a 6-speed manual transmission, 10 airbags, traction control, ABS, air conditioning, power windows and a host of other features.

Other models include the LT with a 1.4-litre Ecotec turbo engine, 6-speed automatic transmission and 16-inch wheels; the Eco model starts at US$18,895 and features 17-inch alloys, ultra low-rolling resistance tyres and an expected 40 mpg on the highway, as well as the features-packed LZT starting at US$22,695.

A list of options including a 40 GB hard drive, a Pioneer sound system, Bluetooth connectivity, heated leather seats and rear park assist can be ticket off the menu before purchase.

Auto Trader GM Pays Back Remaining $5.8 Billion in Loans to U.S. and Canada

Good news to all you GM investors out there: the General has just wrapped-up paying back its US Treasury / Export Development Canada loans while also investing $257 million in prepping its Malibu plants in Fairfax, Kansas (primary) and Detroit Hamtramck (secondary).

The total payment was $5.8 billion ($4.7 bilion to the US and the remaining $1.1 billion to Canada). According to a report from Automotive News, "the governments still own equity stakes in GM."

GM CEO Ed Whitacre had this to say: "GM's ability to pay back the loans ahead of schedule is a sign that our plan is working, and that we are on the right track. It is also an important first step toward allowing our stockholders to reduce their equity investments in GM."

That said, it should be noted GM's March sales are up 36% from the previous year, thanks to popular crossover models throughout the range (Equinox, Traverse, Terrain, Acadia, SRX), the 5th-generation Camaro, and the mid-size Malibu and Lacrosse (with a 58% growth in deliveries for the first quarter of 2010).

For a breakdown of what's being built where, scroll down for an excerpt from the press release.

"Fairfax will become the primary source for the next generation of the Malibu. Detroit Hamtramck, which builds the Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS [being "wound down"], will be equipped to build the Malibu as well, ensuring that Chevrolet can meet market demand.

Detroit Hamtramck will also build the Chevy Volt electric vehicle with extended range, which launches this year. On March 31, the plant celebrated a major milestone, the building of the first pre-production Volt on the regular assembly line.

The Malibu-related investments of $136 million in Fairfax and $121 million in Detroit Hamtramck will include facilities, machinery and equipment, and tools."