By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

This would probably make a pretty good caption contest. Want to know the full story behind this pic? Go over to The Truth About Cars.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

That’s the only possible reason I can think of that Mike was turned down for a chance to go up against Bob Lutz and his CTS-V. As many of you know, Mike is a NASA track instructor with a lot of experience at the Monticello Motor Club, where this little event will be held on Thursday. Mike also just acquired a Dodge Magnum SRT-8 that he was gonna run (yeah, it weighs a lot more and has less hp than the Caddy). But GM won’t let him. If you have a comment, you can leave it at the GM Blog.

By Rich Truesdell

Automotive Traveler

GM’s Bob Lutz is staking the Cadillac CTS-V against all-comers as part of General Motors “May the Best Car Win” advertising challenge. Automotive Traveler is up to the challenge and takes him up on his offer (as does Jalopnik, The Truth About Cars, Autoblog, and others!)

The Cadillac CTS is in the opinion of this reviewer, a world-class luxury car, a clear case where GM set the development bar high against its intended competition, and in most regards, exceeded expectations. Clearly, offering a class-competitive entry closer in size and power to a BMW 5 Series while priced closer to a 3 Series was a smart positioning move. This was followed by the introduction of the mammothly-powered CTS-V, with a 556-horsepower engine that would set at the time a production sedan lap record at the Nürburgring of 7:59:32 (anything under eight minutes is damn fast). The CTS-V clearly had the BMW M5 in its crosshairs and its time to tell the automotive world that America had finally came to play with the big dogs. Now, how to get this message across? Thus the CTS-V Challenge at the Monticello Motor Club 90 miles north of New York City. If GM invites us to the party where we plan to show up in a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Read more about our challenge, and the course layout at Automotive Traveler.

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

Back in February, Bob Lutz announced he would step down from his position as “Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor.” Given the dude is 77, and has a collection of wicked cars and a personal fighter plane to play with,  it was hard to fault him for his decision. But everyone around the office was stoked to learn that he’s changed his mind, and will continue to serve the General. Good to see you’re not going anywhere Bob—now go kick some ass! Read the full story over at Automotive News.

By Katherine Helmetag

Atomicalex

Did you see Bob Lutz on Letterman last night? You should have. Maximum Bob, maximum Voltage, maximum not the final production sheet metal!

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Starting April 1 Lutz will move into the role of “Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor,” and he plans to retire at the end of the year. I for one will be very sad to see him leave. I think he did some great things for GM and Detroit. Tom Stephens will replace Lutz as Vice Chairman of Global Product Development. Full press release after the jump.

Continue reading "Bob Lutz is Stepping Down" »

It’s always heartbreaking when a young person dies during a tragic eating contest accident. But really, isn’t it actually more funny than it is heartbreaking? I mean, I can’t be the only one that the thinks the words "eating" and "contest" look hilarious next to each other. Well, at least Chen Chun-ing died doing something he loved, or at least biologically needed to do, albeit at a slower pace. Anyway, here’s the news:

• It has begun. As of today, Porsche owns 43% of Volkswagen, and Stuttgart isn’t even done yet. The company is planning to increase its ownership to a you-do-what-we-tell-you-to-do 75%, provided the bottom doesn’t fall out of the entire world economy. Detroit News
• The latest casualty of America’s economic woes is Alfa Romeo. Citing the current unpleasantness, the company has pushed back its return to our shores to 2011. Hopefully, we’ll be back on track by then. Motor Authority
• Here’s a headline that’s just too good to mess with: "Man Drives Drunk to Protest Drunk Driving Charge." Remember, if you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you should do is stop digging. Reuters
• One of CarDomain’s advertisers—you know, the folks who provide the money to keep yours truly employed—wants your input. So if you love the blog and love CarDomain, or kind of like us, or even just love to hate us, we’d appreciate your opinion. Take this Survey
• According to Bob Lutz, the General’s board never talks about bankruptcy, which is comforting. But you know the other thing it never talks about? That elephant that always sits behind Mr. Lutz’s chair. Freep

I didn’t get to see the entire interview. But fortunately, our buddies over at Jalopnik posted this choice segment. If you’re curious as to whether the Volt will get you laid, Bob has an answer for you, and it’s beyond hilarious. While the whole conversation reportedly didn’t go quite this well—hey, nobody survives an encounter with Colbert unscathed—I think Bob deserves props for just stepping into the ring. Enjoy.

When I first read the translation of the Notorious B.I.G.’s "One More Chance," I thought it was one of the funniest things ever, but I think this translation of a freestyle battle is even more hilarious. Oh. My. God. One of my favorite parts is when Boost begins his rebuttal—"And a good day to you too, sir."—but the entire thing is absolute gold. Anyway, here’s the news:

• Lamborghini got everyone’s tongues wagging yesterday when it released a teaser image coupled with the line "It’s not just a new Lamborghini, it’s a whole new world." The latest rumor? That new world will have four doors. Crazy! Inside Line
• The General has taken a lot of heat about the fact that the production Volt doesn’t look, well, anything like the concept that got everyone all hot and bothered. Jen actually talked with the design chief yesterday, and now, the Lutzinator himself has come out swinging against the critics. GMFastlane
• Will Jag produce a hybrid version of the XK? A very quiet prototype lapping the ‘Ring indicates that signs are pointing toward yes. So what do you think Jag’s brass should call the green Kitty? I vote they go with XKG. World Car Fans
• Yesterday, a US Treasury truck overturned and dumped $187 grand onto a freeway in Florida. Unfortunately for the locals, it was all in nickels. Hey, nothing’s perfect! Jalopnik

Over the weekend, our buddy Rich Truesdell from Automotive Traveler got nailed by a car while attempting to get a glamor shot of a ’92 Z-1. Fortunately, while he was punted a solid 15 feet, the veteran scribe escaped with "only" a dislocated shoulder. Get well soon Rich, and think twice next time someone tells you to go play in traffic! Anyway, here’s the news:

• The big surprise that’s surfaced during Volt testing is that its trick new batteries are performing perfectly. While this is obviously good news for the General, if Bob Lutz was staring at you, don’t you think you’d perform perfectly too? Kicking Tires
• A 27-year old Colorado man almost avoided getting popped for doing a 115MPH after the deputy pursuing him decided to abandon the chase. Of course, the lead-foot driver demonstrated why he shouldn’t be going that fast shortly afterward, when he wrecked his VW Beetle on an exit ramp. Associated Press
• There was some good news for the Blue Oval last month, but unfortunately, it came packaged with a hefty dose of bad news. While sales of small cars were up almost 25 percent, overall sales were down 26 percent. Yikes. Freep
• Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on with Ferrari? The rumor now is that the company is going to be offering the a convertible version of its track-tuned 430 Scuderia. What? Why would you want a heavy track toy? You’re going to be wearing a helmet anyway, so the whole wind-in-your-hair thing is out. World Car Fans
• Dario Franchitti is leaving NASCAR and returning to his home turf in the IRL. He’s not the first open-wheel guy to fair poorly in the Southern-fried series, and something tells me he won’t be the last. At least he’s got Ashley Judd to comfort him. NASCAR