This Just In: New on the Net

After some homecoming-bound teenagers in Chicago got busted trying to smuggle booze on to a party bus, the driver called the cops. Now, I think this whole situation is kind of silly, but I was struck by the stupidity of the kid who thought he could get away with bringing a paper bag with a bottle inside on board no questions asked. Dude, why didn’t you have one of the ladies stick it in her purse? Duh! Anyway, here’s the news:

• The new 370 has been spotted testing at the ‘Ring, and the big news is the rear diffuser. It’s easily the biggest one we’ve seen, and it makes the one on the Renault Megane Trophy look downright puny. Just kidding. Jalopnik
• A new Exige is on the way, and the carbon-rich, 257 horsepower Cup 260 is more proof that Lotus is one of the few manufacturers which can release a new model that’s actually lighter than the previous generation. Why the hell is this so hard? World Car Fans
• Wired has described the Escape from Berkley rally as a cross between Mad Max and the Cannonball Run, and I think the description is so accurate, I don’t even want to try to come up with my own. Thanks a bunch, gents! Wired
• The National Automobile Dealers Association is predicting that 700 dealerships will fail this year. Yikes. Right now the organization is counting on the bailout plan to pull the industry out of its current death-spiral. Cross your fingers… Detroit News
• This has been a long time coming, but Porsche is gunning for VW, and is apparently planning to gain control of the company by the end of November. Do think consumers will even notice anything? Automotive News