Exciting news, everyone!  The Plug-In Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research (PHEV) Center at UC Davis (University of California) is proud to be one of the sponsors for the Plug-In 2010 Conference and Expo this year at San Jose, California.  For those who have never been to a single Plug-In conference/expo, it’s a yearly event where all automotive manufacturers, component suppliers, electric utilities, government agencies, and more get together to showcase the newest technological advances, and how it shapes the future of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.  They’re making the general public aware of this so more and more people will consider buying these vehicles.

UC Davis is well known for doing research on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in California.  $3 million dollars was granted to UC Davis’ PHEV Research Center from the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program.  Click here if you’d like to know more information regarding the Plug-In 2010 event and the PHEV Research Center.

Everybody seems to be talking about the 2011 Mustang GT, as well as the 2011 V6.  Subtle but significant changes have been made that make these Mustangs look even better able to challenge the competition for muscle car supremacy. Here is some of what has been said about the 2011 Mustangs.

• “You might not win a few light-to-light drag races (it’s [the 2011 Mustang V6] quicker than a Chevy Camaro V6 and a Hyundai Genesis V6, but chances are you’ll lose more than you’ll win (a Nissan Z and an Infiniti G coupe are significantly quicker). Whatever. Drive this car like you hate it and you’ll even have a good time losing. Hell, it destroys its tires on a good 1-2 powershift and even gets good rubber on the 2-3 if you’re quick.”

- Edmunds Inside Line

• “This V-8 [the 2011 Mustang GT] is a major evolutionary step for Ford, perhaps the best gasoline burner the company has ever produced. It twists the tach needle quickly and without vibration but with a roar so menacing it makes the Camaro SS sound like a pickup truck. Detroit has long made cars that leap off the line in a burst and then flame out shortly thereafter. Ford has tuned the V-8’s throttle to be remarkably gentle and progressive, as if road racers in ballet shoes were the final editors of the software. Dare we say it? This engine is too good for this car.”

- Car and Driver

• “The base-level Mustang [2011 Mustang V6] outperforms just about any V-6 car around. The Camaro, which has similar power, hits 29 mpg on the highway. This Mustang even provides better highway mileage than the V-6 powered Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.”

- The Detroit News

• “The all-aluminum V-8 [2011 Mustang GT] keeps the Mustang from feeling nose heavy when driven hard, able to dance nicely along the twisty, scree-strewn canyon roads on which we tested it. The new Electric Power Assist Steering, which offers light parking efforts, has less assist at speed and good feedback, though we think it could be a touch heavier overall.”

- Road and Track

• “Let’s cut to the chase: The new 2011 Mustang GT is about as badass as you can get in a normal production car. In this case, one with a bargain bottom-line price tag as low as $30,495.”

- The Car Connection

As Saab continues its journey down the long road to brand-redemption and hopefully profitability, it prepares to set up camp in an industrial section of a Detroit suburb. Looking to come out from underneath the GM umbrella and into  its own, it is now leaving GM Tower for a much cozier home in Royal Oak.

Saab is able to make the transition due to, parent company, Spyker Cars being awarded $1.2 million in tax credits by Michigan. Saab will add 25 new employees to its workforce, and will place the majority of these people in marketing and management positions paying between $60,000 and $80,000. More jobs are said to be in the works as Saab creates more space between itself and GM. The Royal Oak headquarters will focus on sales and marketing, leaving engineering and manufacturing to the Trolhatter, Sweden arm of the brand. At some point, Saab’s new US headquarters could also house a call center as well Canadian and Mexican distribution.

Read the Daily Tribune’s interview with the president of Saab Cars North America

The Honda CR-Z, touted by Honda to be “the intersection of Sport and Hybrid” has emerged from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, where it gave on-lookers flashbacks of the gone but not forgotten fuel-sipping Honda CRX. The CR-Z is slated to hit dealerships by the end of this Summer and its arrival is expected to signal the beginning of a new and long anticipated phenomenon; the ability for motorists to not have to sacrifice performance and driving enjoyment for environmental friendliness. That’s right, driving a hybrid can soon be considered cool, and not nerd cool (which I really do appreciate) but captain of the footbal team, stereotypical cool. And because all the cool kids must have style, it’s no surprise that the CR-Z is already getting cleaned-up. To see one of these sporty hybrid coupes in the beginning phases of a makeover, check out the Nobless CR-Z on the Farm of Minds blog. They’ve already got the Mungen wheels fitted and there’s a lot of interest in what’s next for this project.

Check out Farm of Minds for more on the Nobless Honda CR-Z and a slew of other cars you’d like to drive.

The sale of the Saab brand to Spyker Cars is finally moving forward after a previous attempt had failed.  At the end of 2009, a deal between the two automakers was almost finalized but negotiations were abandoned when the US federal government expressed concerns over Spyker’s finances. Saab owners and employees had serious doubts about the future of the company, as it became nearly certain Saab facilities would soon be shuttered. According to reports, a significant shareholder, the Convers Group, was under serious scrutiny by the Swedish Security Service, the SAPO, for strong suspicions of Russian Mob ties. The SAPO is said to have then shared their intelligence on the Moscow Management Company, owned by relatives of Russian billionaire Alexander Antonov, with the FBI.

What changed to make Saab’s sale once again viable, was the transfer of 4.6 million shares to the chief executive at Spyker, Victor Muller; though a Spyker spokesperson denied any accuracy to the reports and GM didn’t specify what changes to Spyker’s corporate structure made them reconsider the sale. With financing from Muller’s firm, Tenaci Capital, as well as from GM and GEM Global Yield Fund, Spyker has come pretty close to securing the $1 billion Spyker said it requires to start Saab down the road to becoming a profitable brand once again. Spyker still is searching for about $24 million dollars in cash to be paid to GM upon the deals completion. More importantly, Spyker is waiting for the approval of a loan of 400 Euros from the European Investment Bank. The EIB is expected to make a decision on the Swedish government guaranteed loan within the next couple of weeks. If all goes well there should be few obstacle or speed bumps to slow down Saab’s acquisition, which should be official by the end of the month. The result should be the formation of a new company, Saab Spyker.

The origins of India’s Auto Industry date back to the 1940s, though very little growth has occurred between that time and the early 1990s, when India entered into a period of economic liberalization that continues today. This period has spurred impressive growth in the industry, both in terms of production and exports. Like in most countries, a significant amount of car-making is occurring in the plants of established foreign auto companies, but Indian companies are growing players both domestically and globally. One company you’ve likely heard of is Tata Motors. With origins in locomotive production, Tata manufactured it’s first commercial vehicle in collaboration with Daimler-Benz back in 1954. Today it dominates India’s commercial vehicle sector and has owned the Jaguar and Land Rover brands since 2008. It is also noted for it’s Tato Nano car, a tiny car that’s the only production vehicle selling brand new for as low as $2,500. Tata has plans to sell the Nano in the US, though for a bit more than what it sells for now. Tata is may be the biggest player in the Indian automotive industry, but there are a couple of other growing Indian car-makers, to keep in mind, like Mahindra & Mahindra.

Want to compare cars on your own? Please visit Car Comparison Test’s recommended site, TheCarConnection.com where you can find a host of research and comparison tools on all varieties of cars, trucks, and SUVs. Car news, comparisons, and also new car photos can be found on the site as well as several helpful resources that will help you select the vehicle that’s right for you when its time to buy a car of your own.

Photo Credit: CARandDRIVER.com

This is a comparison test between a German supercar with an Italian heart against an Italian icon. Competing in this battle is the Audi R8 5.2 FSI and the Ferrari 430 Scuderia. Ferrari has won every Car and Driver comparison tests it has contested but one, (Ford GT one upped a 360 Challenge Stradale.). Does the Audi R8 Have what it takes?

In the end, the Ferrari won again and its obsession is justified.

The Audi still scored very well as testers reported comfort and usability of a two-seat A4, an angry V-10, and quality design details and shape. However the brakes grabbed, the controls are slightly numb. They also believed it was dull for a 525-hp supercar, possibly too contrived.

Testers loved the Ferrari’s V-8 engine that was without rival, perfectly matched control feel, art everywhere, never a dull moment. However the Ferrari had a total lack of features and amenities, will eventually find another owner after your death. Overall it of course is a pricey car, but its goal of perfecting the driving experience is noble and perhaps achieved.

Photo Credit: CARandDRIVER.com

Photo Credit: RoadandTrack.com

How does the diesel-powered BMW 335d compare with the state-of-the-art direct-injected gasoline-powered Audi A4 3.2 Quattro? Well, each has its advantages and disadvantages, but only one comes out on top after testing across all categories. First, let’s take a look at what the Audi offers.

Photo Credit: RoadandTrack.com

Audi’s smooth V-6, which doesn’t top out at 4600 rpm like BMW’s diesel, makes it a fun car to drive. Its 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and optional Audi Drive Select, which allows you to adjust engine mapping, steering feel/response, and the suspension settings to Comfort, Dynamic, or Auto with the touch of a button are also advantages. In addition, the Audi’s all-wheel drive enhances performance and is good for rain and snow. All this, combined with a roomy and elegant interior make the Audi A4 3.2 Quattro an excellent sedan.

Photo Credit: RoadandTrack.com

On the other hand, there’s the performance-tuned 3.0-liter sequential twin-turbo diesel BMW 335d. With 265 bhp at 4200 rpm and 425 lb.-ft of torque at 1750 rpm, the inline-6 accelerates the car from 0-60 mph in just 5.3 seconds and reaches a quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds. That’s 0.6 seconds quicker than the A4 3.2 in each category. Equipped with a stiffer suspension, summer performance tires, and sports seats, the BMW is an incredible sports sedan. Finally, another big advantage for the 335d is an EPA rating of 23/36 mpg, compared to the A4 3.2’s rating of 17/26 mpg.

Photo Credit: RoadandTrack.com

Photo Credit: RoadandTrack.com

So overall, beating the Audi in every performance category while also being more environmentally friendly, the BMW 335d is definitely the winner of this comparison test.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

This is the ultimate battle of luxury sedans. BMW plans to give the 2010 760Li a new direct-injected, twin-turbocharged and inter-cooled DOHC 48-valve V-12. With 536 bhp and 553 lb.-ft of torque, the luxury missile will launch from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds while reaching a ¼ mile in 12.5 seconds. If not for the top speed governor which is set at 155 mph, the 760Li would probably be capable of reaching 190 mph. It is also the first BMW to be equipped with the new ZF eight-speed automatic.

On the other hand, Mercedes has made the 2010 S600 as good as ever. Although not much has changed in the physical appearance, the new S-class is jam-packed with state-of-the-art technology including adaptive high-beams, pedestrian detection for night-view assist, a lane-keeping system, and an attention-assist system among many other features. It also comes standard with active body control adaptive suspension and hydraulically boosted steering. Powered by a 512-hp, 612 lb.-ft 12-cylinder engine, the ultra luxury sedan accelerates to 60 in 4.2 seconds and reaches a ¼ mile in 12.6.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

With the BMW 7-series now on par with the Mercedes S-class in terms of engine, this comparison seems just too close. Although the BMW may be a bit more modern, the edge still goes to the Mercedes and its unparalleled overall driving experience.

For news about exciting new cars, click here. Also, check out this site for concept cars.