I received a dozen emails today inviting me to check out Jalopnik's new sponsor. Sure enough, the words "Presented by Acura TSX" are now prominently displayed next to the site's name. While searching for the footnote "no definite article need apply," I noticed that Jalopnik is festooned with ads for the Acura TSX. So I called Gawker's main man, Ray Wert. I asked if the new deal is a New Deal for the site's editorial independence. Ray assured me the Acura gravy train would have "no effect whatsoever" on his ability to run "positive or negative coverage" of the manufacturer in general, or the model in specific. Ray pointed-out that "presented by" is not the same as "sponsored by." And Jalopnik launched with Audi's sponsorship (the TT reflected in the logo lollypop sucker's sunglasses). He said Audi never yanked Spinelli's chain. Only they did. And, eventually, after a negative review, bailed. Ray's got integrity all day. But it's not enough to BE independent. You have to avoid the APPEARANCE of being Acura's bitch. Those of you who know Ray will know that the aforementioned comment will assure the man's fierce examination of everything we do to sniff out the slightest whiff of hypocrisy. We welcome the scrutiny.  

Because outsourcing axle-making has turned out so well for GM, Chryler will be selling two Michigan-based axle factories. The Wall Street Journal reports that Chrysler has approached Dana Holding Corp and American Axle (as well as other private equity firms) with an offer to sell the two plants for $400m. Shockingly, "the offer has sparked little interest," according to "people familiar with the discussions." The two factories on the sale block are Detroit Axle and Chrysler's Marysville axle plant, the latter of which is still being built. The usual Michigan labor bugbears appear to be the main culprit for the lack of interest, as any buyer would have to also buy out Detroit Axle's UAW contract. Still, Chrysler has got to slim down, meaning the price might just drop until someone can be saddled with find value in the axle plants. We'll be right here holding our breath.

There's a rich tradition of cinematic misinterpretations where the automobile is concerned. Some of the classics include Tom Cruise downshifting to win the race in Days of Thunder. Or in Back to the Future where the entire plot revolves around a DeLoreon getting to 88 mph under its own power. As Garfield would say, "Fat chance." Our own Frank Williams just caught an excellent one, "A few weeks ago on CSI Miami, they tracked down a hit and run driver by the impression of a partial license plate in the victim's briefcase (stamped there by the impact) and the diesel fuel the vehicle leaked. When they tracked down the vehicle, it was a Dodge Charger and they CSI guys still referred to it as a diesel." Not in Miami, Mr. Caruso. You seen any good ones?

The last time we heard from Chrysler's Camcord-fighting "Project D" development team, we learned that Chrysler "star engineer" and Project D leader Mike Donoghue had bailed, amid rumors of an Acting Chief Innovation Officer ego-trip. To assure themselves as much as anyone else, Cerberus rolled out a little hype information to the Detroit News on its midsize do-over. There's little talk of the actual cars themselves in the story, as most of the ink is spilled on the importance of the segment to Chrysler and how miserably its efforts have failed to capitalize on demand. "The problem is everyone is getting really, really good in that segment," says Todd Turner of consulting firm Car Concepts. "Chrysler's current entries are probably the weakest in the marketplace, not just in terms of sales, but in customer satisfaction." Ouch. But fear not, because Chrysler gets it... just don't ask for any specifics. Without revealing any details of the actual products which will make it to market (besides the fact that there will be sedan and crossover body styles… shocking!), Project D's new leader Mike Chernoby wants everyone to know that the new D-segment offering will totally rule. "We will manage the time line accordingly to always make sure we have a product that will satisfy the market place," says Chernoby. "You can take that to the bank." Sounds great, as long as Cerberus foots the overdraft charges.

While I don't care for the Prius, I can't deny that it has been successful in America. Not just at sales or income for Toyota, but for having one of the highest profiles of any car on sale here and for legitimately changing the automotive game. But it looks like the Prius's developmental future is a lot more conventional. Michele Krebs, writing for Edmunds' Auto Observer, reports a number of unfortunate developments for the next generation Prius, to be revealed at Detroit in January 2009. It's bigger – 3-4 inches, although not much heavier. The engine grows to 1.8 liters, and combined gas and electric power is up from approximately 110 horses to 160. But don't worry, fuel economy is up. So it's all okay, right? Wrong. Most successive generations of automobiles are able to make improvements in all areas. That does not mean the distribution of those improvements – which are often compromises and tradeoffs – is ok. Fuel economy will be up in the next Prius? Imagine how much more it could be up if they weren't trying to squeeze another 50 horses out of the car, or adding 4 inches to the body. Ms. Krebs also confirms that the Prius model range will grow (hopefully a smaller, lighter coupe is included), and reminds that a Lexus version with a 2.0-3.0 liter engine is still on the table. This is an example of Toyota losing the plot, trying to make the Prius appeal to more people – and in so doing, diluting the one of the single most focused products on the automotive market. But hey, it's all in the pursuit of sales numbers. [Thanks to starlightmica for the tip]

Motor Authority reports that AMG is ditching its 6.2-liter V8 and 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12s in favor of a new 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8. As with Audi's recently-announced downsize from V8 to V6 in the S4, Mercedes claims they're losing the big bore mills to increase fuel efficiency. Not only do Merc's massive 12-pots struggle to break 15 mpg in typical (for a V12) driving conditions, but they lack the low-end shove of previous AMG engines (notably the old supercharged 5.5-liter V8). The "entry-level" version of the new V8 twin turbo– replacing the normally-aspirated 6.2 unit (called a 6.3 for nostalgic reasons)– will boast 570hp and 665 lft.-lbs. of torque. A higher performance unit will get turbo upgrades to create 700hp and 885 ft.-lbs. of torque (to replicate turbo V12 shove). Apparently a "BluePower" (not a Smurf racist group, it turns out) version will offer epic hybrid performance from the same V8. If you just have to have yourself a V12, fill out a pre-order now for the SLC Gullwing, launching in 2010. The tasty retro-coupe will be the last application for Ye Olde 6.2, cranking-out over 600 horsepower, mated to an 8-speed automatic.

Here's another one for TTAC's new Whisky Tango Foxtrot category… Ontario's new anti-street racing laws were enforced for the first time when a garbage truck was clocked doing about 70mph in a 40 mph zone. The Record reports that the Great Lakes Waste Management truck would be impounded for seven days, and the driver's license suspended for a week– on top of a $2,000 fine for street-racing. The citation has caused the Ontario police to expand its investigations into alleged street racing beyond the initial targets ("young men in cars," surprise, surprise). Their undue diligence now includes commercial vehicles. "The more we apply this new legislation, we're seeing this problem is across the board," says Ontario Police constable Joanna Van Mierlo. That, or garbage truck drivers are far more dedicated to time efficiency than previously thought. Talk about going like stink! [thanks to QuasiMondo for the link]

The Times of London reports that Indian automaker (and Jaguar and Land Rover's new Daddy) Tata Motors will develop an Indian design and manufacturing center in Pune with iconic Italian design house Pininfarina. Tata will also "participate" in Pinin's $100m capital increase (a.k.a. bailout) this summer. The Times notes that Pininfarina's controlling family could be about to unload as much as 55 percent of the Italian firm's stock, opening the possibility of a complete Tata takeover. With ties already close between Tata and Fiat, a joint ownership scenario is also possible. In case you haven't guessed where all this is headed, Tata has set aside $1b for the development of new Jaguar models. Tata and Pinin are already hashing-out the next gen Jags, with an F-Type roadster rumored to lead the way.

The New York Times wants us to know that the possibility of deleterious health effects from hybrids' electromagnetic fields (E.M.F.) is not so unbelievable. (OH!) "With the batteries and power cables in hybrids often placed close to the driver and passengers, some exposure to electromagnetic fields is unavoidable. Moreover, the exposure will be prolonged — unlike, say, using a hair dryer or electric shaver — for drivers who spend hours each day at the wheel… Their [critics] concern is not without merit…" Not without merit? Is that the same as real? Scribe Jim Motavali ain't saying. Instead, an anecdote from E.M.F.-aware Civic Hybrid owner Neysa Linzer offers the proverbial money shot: "She said… her blood pressure rose and she fell asleep at the wheel three times, narrowly averting accidents. 'I never had a sleepiness problem before,' Ms. Linzer said, adding that it was her own conclusion, not a doctor’s, that the car was causing the symptoms." Toyota's Prius spokesperson responded to the concern by saying "What are you guys, nuts?" More specifically, "The measured electromagnetic fields inside and outside of Toyota hybrid vehicles in the 50 to 60 hertz range are at the same low levels as conventional gasoline vehicles. Therefore there are no additional health risks to drivers, passengers or bystanders.” [thanks to QuasiMondo for the link]

In a classic "pay no attention to that investor behind that curtain" diversion, Ford sent out not one, not two, but FIVE press releases about the debut of Shelby GT500KR in rapid-fire succession. The first piece of KR PR gives the uber-'Stang's specifications (330 cu. in./5,409 cc, 540 hp @ 6,250 rpm, 510 lb.-ft. torque @ 4500 rpm, 6,250 rpm redline and Roots-type supercharger, air-to-water intercooler with Ford Racing cold air intake, if you're curious). The second brags about its handling and aerodynamics ("Our computer model predicts a four-tenths-of-a-second zero-to-150 acceleration effect from the aero alone. That makes the horsepower go farther."). The third praises– I kid you not– how it sounds ("Hearing the new KR just gets your blood flowing. It's a rumble that true enthusiasts will love and competitors will dread."). The fourth waxes eloquent about the carbon fiber hood ("The hood is a sculpted work of art, with the right science under its skin to deliver real performance impact."). And the fifth points out it's "the most powerful production Mustang ever." None of them mentions the price or how much dealers will jack it up. Now, let's see what's happened with Tracinda…

Lexus recently revealed product plans that include an entry-level model. Most likely (and logically) it will be a hatch. Being a Lexus, it has to use rear-wheel drive, making it the second hatch with the correct wheels driving it (following BMW's 1-Series). And what a hot hatch that will be! Even better handling than the IS due to lesser weight, a lot roomier than the BMW competitor and maybe even better looking. I tried my hand with the L-finesse brush on this one and envisioned something that would fit smoothly in the current Lexus range; no (unpleasant) surprises. By the way, I have in the back of my head an image of a Lexus hatchback concept car from the beginning of the ‘90s. Do any of you remember that? I wasn't able to find any info on it around the web.

[For more Avarvarii photochopistry, click here]

So much for moral outrage about the senseless (in a moral sense) violence in the videogame Grand Theft Auto. Well, at least amongst the eggeheads over at The New York Times. Critic Seth "No German Jokes Please" Schiesel hails Grand Theft Auto IV– released today– as "violent, intelligent, profane, endearing, obnoxious, sly, richly textured and thoroughly compelling work of cultural satire disguised as fun." Yeah, I bet it fools a LOT of impressionable kids. Clearly, as before, there's nothing PC about GTA IV (so to speak): "Hardly a demographic escapes skewering. In addition to various Italian and Irish crime families, there are venal Russian gangsters, black crack slingers, argyle-sporting Jamaican potheads, Puerto Rican hoodlums, a corrupt police commissioner, a steroid-addled Brooklyn knucklehead named Brucie Kibbutz and a former Eastern European soldier who has become a twee Upper West Side metrosexual." What, no 'ho's and bitches? Sure! Plenty! Uh, what about cars? Car theft? For that we must await reports from TTAC's Best and Brightest. You soldiers have your orders. Now get the fuck outta here!

Is GM abandoning hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle hype development in favor of battery-powered electrics? Newly enriched Car Czar "Maximum" Bob Lutz seems to be hinting in that direction. In an interview with PetroZero.org, the Volt's godfather indicated The General is considering building a Volt. No seriously. Building a Volt "without engine and all the plumbing" to meet California's new Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The engineers responsible for the test fleet of hydrogen-powered Equinox will be delighted to learn that Max Bob "agreed" that "pure EV was the most sensible route [to meet the ZEV requirements] compared to expensive hydrogen powered fuel cells." But MB didn't stop there. (As if.) He concluded if GM builds an EV Volt, they'd have "a pure electric with more range." More range than what? The EV1? And does this indicate that GM's already working on an all-electric Volt, or is Bob just putting his bid in for next year's Bob Lutz Award? Or both? But definitely not neither.

What's up with Sharon Terlep? This time out, the non-scourge of Detroit tackles the question rattling around her hometown: why is the United Auto Workers (UAW) striking GM, of all people? Terlep sees a devious disconnect, as outlined by the article's subhead: "Union pushing GM for rich Axle deal, some say; leaders cite other issues." Translation: the UAW is lying to its GM members (Heaven forfend!) to get them to carry out a disguised (i.e. illegal) sympathy strike for their brother and sisters over at American Axle. For this theory, Terleps cites "several sources familiar with negotiations." Evidence: when the Malibu factory didn't run out of axles, the UAW threatened a walkout over… something else. "The union's top leaders at the national level have been mum on the issue of local strikes. But local leaders, those in charge of carrying out a strike order and managing day-to-day life on the factory floors, have outlined issues they say are behind the local disputes. Word is coming though one-on-one chats at local union halls, in online newsletters and through interviews with the media." And none of them are saying it's a camouflaged sympathy strike. Perhaps a little more investigation (and a lot less speculation) would sort this out. Just sayin'…  

This morning, octogenarian investor Kirk Kerkorian bid $8.50 per share for 20m shares of Ford. his offering was 13 percent above FoMoCo's closing share price on Friday. While the total is only a fraction of Ford's $16b market cap, it does create a lot of speculation about his intentions. Tracinda stated they "believe that Ford management under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally will continue to show significant improvements in its results going forward." Just a few minutes ago, we received this statement from Ford: 

The following statement is attributable to Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford and Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally:

Dearborn, Mich., April 28 -"We welcome confidence in Ford and the progress we are making on our transformation plan. Any investor can purchase Ford shares, which are sold on the open market. The Ford team remains focused on executing our plan to transform Ford into a lean global enterprise delivering profitable growth for all."

After Kerkorian's attempt to take over GM and his bid to buy Chrysler both failed, is The Lion of Las Vegas trying once again to buy a car company. Or is he just making a shrewd investment? With GM struggling to keep its plants open, with Chrysler on the ropes (rumors of bill-paying problems), perhaps Captain Kirk is anticipating the TTAC foretold dead cat bounce. As always, watch this space.