I learned to drive in a 1985 Volvo 240. The Nordic boxcar's 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine deployed one hundred and fourteen horsepower against three thousand pounds of Swedish steel. For reasons best left to Roswell conspiracy theorists, the feds recently re-calculated the 240’s mpg: 19/26 (coincidentally the age of the average 240 driver).  That’s not bad for rust, but let’s face it: a used 240 is hardly a Prius driver’s second choice. Even so, the humble Volvo recently inspired an automotive epiphany that could lead to The Mother of All Environmentally Friendly Automobiles.

Struth! It's a pretty bizarre state of affairs for automakers down under. Despite Toyota's status as Australia's largest vehicle importer (138,640 vehicles year-to-date), the automaker's calling for the Australian government NOT to lower import tariffs below 10 percent. Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald at the Tokyo motor show, Toyota's executive vice-president of global product planning warned that lowering the Ozzie tariff risked crushing the country's exports. Here's the deal. Toyota builds Camrys in Melbourne. If it can't sell enough Camrys locally, then it makes it harder to justify keeping the plant open to export the vehicle to countries in the region. Tokuichi Uranishi reminded the Herald that Melbourne competes for biz with the six other Camry factories worldwide. And a strong Australian dollar isn't helping matters– at all. But the country's Automotive Competitiveness and Investment Scheme (ACIS) is; the feds have pledged import tariff rebates on cars and components worth AUS $7b between 2000 and 2015. So where does all this leave Ford, Holden and Mitsubishi's home-grown products? Splitting less than 20 percent of Oz' domestic market, down from 50 percent ten years ago. 

The apocalypse is at hand, at least according to the World Socialist Web Site. Apparently, after the United Auto Workers (UAW) ratify their contract with Chrysler, Cerberus "will accelerate their plans to carve up the number three US automaker by shutting down or selling off dozens of factories." Fair enough (or not). The Socialists go on to prognosticate that the "Chrysler deal condemns the next generation of auto workers to near poverty" and "workers will face a campaign of harassment by management, which is eager to replace higher-paid veteran workers with low-paid new hires." And just when you think things couldn't get any worse, "with wages frozen and Cost-of-Living Adjustments diverted, workers will be ravaged by higher housing, food, fuel, education and health-care costs." Then they equate the "economic destitution" this will cause with the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. They didn't predict human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together or mass hysteria, but Ford's contract is still under negotiation, so stay tuned.

The Audi TT-RS is quickly becoming one of the worst kept Audi development secrets since, well, the R8. First, there was the TT-S spy shot that Audi insisted wasn't a TT-S (oops). And now we have a high-res shots of the Porsche-wannabe doing laps on the ring with what looks like The Stig behind the wheel. According to the Swedish News Agency, the RS model is easily distinguished from its less hairy-chested sib by its larger air intakes on either side of the Billy-the-big-mouth-bass grill and the two large exhausts at the rear. (OK, so the Swedes didn't mention the fish features). The TT-RS is reportedly to put some 340 – 350hp onto the pavement, and you can bet there's a Quattro system aiding and abetting the deed. The TT-RS is heading for a 2009 model year debut. Historically, Audi only offers one RS model at a time. So exactly which vehicle will be the TT-RS' natural competition? The BMW M6, M5, M3? I'm thinking the as-yet-undeclared BMW M1. You?

Not content in diluting the BMW brand exploring lower-priced markets with their 1-series, BMW's planning a "downsized model" for their Rolls-Royce sub-division. The new, $260k motorcar will slot below the only model in the erstwhile British brand's arsenal: the epic, 7-Series-based Rolls Royce Phantom. Business Week explains their corporate masters' goal: a prestigious ow-tow-mobile that "its owner- not chauffeur- can drive." Or, to use BMW design chief Chris Bangle's more prosaic description: "your everyday Rolls." Rolls-Royce CIO Ian Robertson is quick to quash any suggestion that "downsized" means "lower class." "We're not going downmarket," Robertson snapped. He's got a point. The "entry level" Roller's price tag compares to a Phantom "tab close to $500k, and sometimes as high as $2m." Still, seen in that light, you could call the new model a bit of a bargain, Mate. 

Detroit News columnist John McCormic joins the chorus of Detroit cheerleaders who echo GM Car Czar Bob Lutz' infamous rallying cry against the transplants' hugely popular products: "soulless appliances!" McCormick's rant was inspired by a Sin City tete-a-tete with ex-Toyota appliance maker and current Chrysler co-Veep Jim Press. After telegraphing the new Chrysler's new party line– damn! we're fast!– the auto scribe portrays Press as an exec on the horns of a dilemma. "Some customers really love the passion and emotion of cars," Press told Big Mac. "When you drive the Viper or the new Challenger, the hair on the back of your neck stands up." And then, a confession. "There are many customers who want to drive appliances and we've got to get better at giving them appliances." The answer? Give 'em both! And there you have it: a "new paradigm" for a resurgent Motown. "Press is not alone in recognizing this viewpoint. General Motors has been laboring hard over the last few years to create a new overall formula for dependable and engaging vehicles and the results are showing in the U.S. market. So too has Ford, although with more success on the dependable side of the equation than the appealing element." Hey, who can argue with that?

Well, at least that's the opinion of passersby at the St Catharines Powertrain Plant in Ontario. The Standard reports the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and General Motors both received "quite a few" calls from residents near the plant complaining about a "musty burnt smell" emanating from the facility that could be detected several blocks from the factory. Eventually they found the source: "90,000 litres of mouldy lubricating oil" that circulates through some of the equipment. Although the lubricating system wasn't leaking, it is vented, releasing the pungent odor. GM plans to replace the infected lubricant post haste.

OK, here's the rule for car buyers looking to claim a federal tax credit for their hybrid: "Original owners may claim the full amount of the allowable credit up to the end of the first calendar quarter after the quarter in which the manufacturer records its sale of the 60,000th vehicle. For the second and third calendar quarters after the quarter in which the 60,000th vehicle is sold, taxpayers may claim 50 percent of the credit. For the fourth and fifth calendar quarters, taxpayers may claim 25 percent of the credit. No credit is allowed after the fifth quarter." So the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had a butcher's (look) at GM and Ford hybrid sales for the quarter ending Sept. 30 and decided neither automaker's sold enough gas – electric vehicles to start the winding down process. Ford's getting there; The Blue Oval Boyz sold 38,743 hybrids last quarter. GM's not even close, at 9,577 hybrids. For a full list of the qualifying vehicles and the tax credits for each, click HERE. Oh, and in case you're wondering, Toyota blew by the 60k hybrid tax barrier on June 30, 2006. In the second quarter of '07 alone, Toyota sold sold 79,723 hybrids (54,821 Prii). 

The voting for the 2007 TTAC Ten Worst Autos award continues apace. You have until midnight tomorrow to make your choices. If you haven't voted yet, click here to jump over to the polls. If you have voted, thanks. You've done your part to help rid the world of four-wheeled turkeys. We'll announce the "winners" on November 1, so you won't have long to wait to find out if your selections won. In the meantime, here's an update of what's been going on behind the scenes.

After a few months of constant scanning the web for automotive stories, you get a real feel for who covers what, how and when. The Detroit News never fails to identify the stories that count–  but lacks the killer instinct needed to move the game forward. Automotive News is the authority on the hard numbers underpinning the biz, with unparalleled access to the maja playas– but fails to use their knowledge and face time to probe beyond the easy answers to tough questions. The New York Times is excellent at summing-up the issues affecting carland– that hasn't broken a major story in years. In fact, there is no dependable source for hard hitting investigative journalism about one of this country's largest and most important industries. I reckon if that kind of old-fashioned reporting has a logical spiritual home, then it's right here on TTAC. And here's the thing. I've had a word with my paymaster. He might have some funding for a little more editorial help. Now I could use the money to draft in an assistant to remove some of my daily burden. But I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe, there's someone out there who has the skills, passion and 'tude to help take TTAC assume its rightful title in the autoblogosphere: muckraker extraordinaire. If there's anyone answering to that description that will work for peanuts, let me know via the contact button. Meanwhile, we'll continue to do the best we can with what we got. And all you guys who previously volunteered to help, hang tight. I'm getting there.

The BMW 1-Series enthusiast site, 1addicts.com, has over 13k posts dissecting BMW's upcoming compact coupe and convertible. That's some serious devotion for enthusiasts "addicted" to a car they haven't driven or even seen in person. To recap, the 1-Series coupe heading stateside is mechanically closely related to the 3-Series, but a bit cheaper (how much cheaper remains to be seen) and a bit smaller. It'll come with the 3-Series' engine lineup, offering a 3.0-liter six with 230 horses and the sublime twin turbo I6 with more than 300 ponies. Magazines have heralded the 1-Series as the second coming of the legendary 2002, but considering its porky 3600+ lb curb weight, this ain't no compact sportster. Oh, and from the photos, it's sorta ugly. Yes, it's got all the up-to-the-second BMW styling, but it's a stubby looking little car. And the back seat is useless. So why all the rabid anticipation? Is it because it's going to be a slightly more affordable 3-Series? (If you can call a $35,000 car affordable.) Or is it because motoring enthusiasts lust for the good old days of quick, small, light cars that don't so much exist anymore? Your thoughts?

MSNBC reports there are “at least 16 green car dealerships in 10 states” where customers can cross-shop alt-fuel personal transport. The Green Car Company of Kirkland, Washington stocks PC-mobiles ranging from scooters to hybrids to biodiesel-powered trucks. Over at the Union of Concerned Scientists, senior analyst Jim Kliesch reckons green dealerships are the next big thing. For every car shopper that finds a vehicle at a green dealership “there are a hundred customers that settle at the regular dealerships, despite the fact that they want cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles.” Down at the Green Car Congress, Mike Millikin (and his bio-powered steam shovel) says mainstream car dealers won’t put their arms up and surrender. “As the mature automobile companies produce more hybrids, diesels and electric cars, these new vehicles will appear in the traditional dealerships and lure consumers back.” I’m sorry; who said they were missing? 

In the face of daily rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip into Israel– 13 Kassam rockets and 12 mortar shells were reported fired on Tuesday– the Jewish state has declared the Palestinian-controlled territory an "enemy entity." The decision gives Israel the power to cut off all vital supplies to the region, including electricity and gas. Which they're about to do. Philadelphia's Bulletin quotes a military source who acknowledged the embargo's potential impact on Palestineans' lives and explained the tit-for-tat rationale for constricting fuel supplies. "There's no doubt that a gas shortage will make the Palestinians' lives more difficult. If they don't let us live and move around freely in the Sderot area and its surroundings, they won't move around freely either. Diesel and crude oil will enter the Gaza Strip regularly so as not to affect the ambulances, garbage trucks and fire trucks. As far as we're concerned, there's no problem if the terrorists and local police can't drive around in their private cars. The Palestinian civilians had better realize that Hamas doesn't care about them any more." 

Many of our commentators have pointed-out that automakers hoping to compete against the lean, mean, hybrid-building machine known as Toyota are chasing a moving target. While GM is busy trying to stuff Li-Ion-shaped eggs into a Volt-sized basket, Toyota has just announced they've downsized their nickel metal hydride battery-based gas – electric propulsion system by 50 percent. What's more (or less), they've also reduced their manufacturing cost by 50 percent. Speaking to Reuters at the Tokyo Motor Show, Executive Vice President Kazuo Okamoto (the guy in charge of Toyota's research and development) said the advancement was only to be expected. "When we went from the first-generation Prius to the second-generation, we did the same thing." Okamoto also revealed that ToMoCo's looking to increase the visibility of their Synergy driven vehicles, "perhaps through a unique front grill." As for the diesel-powered alternative to his employer's hybrids, Okamoto admitted that oil burners were more fuel-efficient for long-distance cruising. But he promised that Toyota's future hybrids would meet or beat the challenge. The competition better hope Okamoto's blowing smoke, and act as if he isn't.

Hot on the heels of its 2006 TTAC Ten Worst Autos award, and its position as a 2007 finalist for the same, comes news that the Subaru Tribeca has scooped another major nod: Best Resale Value in the crossover segment. A Subaru press release on PRNewswire announces the Tribeca's glorification by Automotive Lease Guide (ALG). ALG says their gong is "derived after careful study of segment competition, historical vehicle performance and industry trends." It shows that "compelling design, high quality manufacturing, disciplined pricing and volume programs" lead to high residual value. The fact that Tribecas coming off lease don't have to compete with a flood of fleet units being dumped into the used car market has a lot more to do with the high residuals than "compelling design" (unless they're talking about Tribeca observers' compulsion to avert their gaze). The press release concludes by listing other awards the Tribeca has received, such as high crash test ratings and some award for interior design. Their tally totally ignores the honor TTAC readers bestowed on Ye Olde "Flying V" last year. Go figure.