Just yesterday I was talking with a petrolhead buddy of mine. I mentioned the only new car on the horizon that I'm personally excited about: the new Fiat 500. And the Ford Flex, but that's another story. Then our conversation bogged down into the usual "Do you like oil on your driveway," "I don't have a driveway," "Hope you have a good mechanic," "What could possibly go wrong?" Italian car conversation. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is putting my mind at ease. Or not. That's right friends, he could make a decision on when and whether to re-launch Alfa Romeo in the States within the next six months. Part of the confusion is due to our incredible shrinking dollar; to make Alfa work in the US, some of the cars must be built here. And Fiat is in negotiations with various North American companies. The really wonderful news is that Marchionne thinks the 500 will be a "smash hit" here in America. And they'll either build it here, or at one of the existing Fiat plants in South America. Eventually.

We spoke earlier about GM trying to wrangle a $7k tax credit out of Uncle Sam so that (supposed? purported?) Volt buyers won't have to cough up so much green– about $40K at last count. If we look at the problem from General Motors' perspective, nothing could make more sense. But what about the other perspectives? Some will argue that the Japanese government pitched-in some research dollars for Prius R&D and all's fair in love, war and cars. Others will argue that the government has no business interfering with business, period. Still others will point out that the last time the Feds got involved with an automaker we wound up selling Jeep to the Germans. And then there are those who say, "What's the difference? Ever since we went off the gold standard everything (including money) is worthless." My opinion? We're spending a billion dollars a day in Iraq– what's the difference? You?

The latest from Lambo's CEO Stephan Winkelmann is both a breath of fresh air, and it isn't. Automotive News reports Lamborghini won't be meeting the strict emissions standards laid out by the EU and the USA. Not this year. Not next. They just won't. Why? Well for one, it's against the brand's DNA. When asked if they'll be dropping their V10 and V12 engines in favor of turbo-V8's, the CEO replied, "No." Two, while 2007 was the very best year ever for the raging bull, they only sold 2,604 cars. Toyota's sold more than that since you sipped this morning's coffee. Also, people who buy Lamborghinis don't drive very much. Winkelmann points to an average of just 5,000 miles per car per year. Finally, all things being equal, his cars don't pollute that much. The new Gallardo LP560-4 with its 560 horsepower (though "only" 552hp according to American metrics) 5.2-liter V10 gets 17 mpg. Well, that's according to Winkelmann. We're sure that pushed off a cliff the newest Gallardo will average at least that. Back on point, while ceding that greenhouse gasses are "an emotional issue," Winkelmann proclaims that Lamborghini, "[W]ill never reach the emissions that are asked for." What's the bet that Porsche and their 100k annual sales would love to say the same? 

The price for the 2010 Chevy Volt has been going up. Once pitched as a direct Prius competitor, the mostly-electric Volt is now expected to sticker for around $40k. Not kosher, as Toyota's hybrid stickers just north of $22k. Automotive News reveals the General has a plan: make you pay for it. No, not "you" as in Volt customers– "you" as in American taxpayers. GM is hoping to get a $7K tax credit for "extended-range electric vehicles." That would put the plug-in electric – gas hybrid Chevy Volt's price within spitting distance of the Prius' Monroney. I guess when Slick Rick stated "we want to bring the Volt to the market in 2010 at a price of less than $30,000," "we" meant GM and the taxpayer. (Of course, when he said "we want to make money on the Volt from the beginning," the taxpayer was nowhere in that picture.) As for product readiness, an unnamed source says "We still have a lot of development and testing to go." Let's hear it for representative democracy. 

Go to Butler, Missouri and you'll find Max Motors, an independent car dealer that specializes in (i.e. only sells) American cars. Yup, under one roof you can buy a Buick, Cadillac, Chevy, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jeep or Pontiac. Your guess is as good as mine if they sell Korean-made Aveos, Mexican made Fusions or Canadian made all sorts of stuff. Oh wait, I checked, they do. But that's not why we're telling you about Max Motors. No, we're telling you because through May 31st if you buy a new car from Max Motors you get your choice of free gas card or handgun. That's right, Max Motors is aware of both "the gasoline and crime problem [sic] in America." And while to some throwing gas at a gas problem and guns at a crime problem is like throwing fire at a fire problem or fat at a fat problem, Max Motors sees it different. Explains sales manager Walter Moore, around Butler people believe in "God, guts and guns," though they aren't handing out free Bibles or chitlin's. As you would (probably) expect, 80 percent of the customers are opting for the gun. And hey, why not? I just traded my Colt Python .357 Magnum for $250 worth of scotch and bourbon. The only drawback we see is that you don't get the gun immediately (you have to pass a background check). Max Motors might be inadvertently setting up the world's most ironic carjacking.

As auto hacks we spill a lot of ink crying and moaning about a car's interior. And unlike handling, there's not much to debate. Every other journalist I've ever spoken with agrees that Chrysler's interiors are in fact below the bargain basement. While you will find differences of opinions about the layout of a given cabin (I've been catching a lot of heat from my A5 review), crap remains crap while good stays good. Speaking of other journalists, I was sitting around drinking free booze with the usual suspects at a Ford event (soon, soon) and the age-old 911 vs. Corvette debate reared its head. As a natural contrarian I took up the Chevy cause. I explained how getting a hot lap on a runway in a Z06 piloted by King of the 'Ring John Heinricy was the most violent, exhilarating experience of my life. Their rebuttal? The interior sucks. All I could think to yell was, "Who cares?" But the truth is, I do care. A little. I think. Well, maybe just sometimes. Or not. Er, you?

Just because you (and by "you" I mean us lucky auto journo types) won't be able to see the new prancing horse GT California until October at the Paris Auto Show, doesn't mean a fetish photographer can't. Employing the strange, up-the-skirt "teaser" tactics that Lutz and friends deployed with the new CTS, Ferrari has even produced a come-hither video complete with a Skinemax after hours soundtrack. But I'm not here to criticize Ferrari's advertising tactics. Oh wait, I am here to criticize Ferrari's advertising tactics. Still, it's Friday, the birds are chirping and this guy I know just picked-up a new M3. Point being: Ferrari's not talking to you anyhow. But just so we're clear, the GT California is only available as a hard top convertible and will be powered by a new-ish version of the 4.3-liter V8 that's already shared with nearly ever hot two-door in Italy (F430, Maser GranTurismo, Alfa 8C Competizione). I say new-ish because the relatively small eight-banger has a flat-crank and direct-injection, both of which combine to kick out 460 horses at a lofty 7,500 rpm and bring up 60 mph in four seconds flat, according to Motor Authority. The brakes are ceramic and the F1-style traction control system is the same as the 599. The big tech news: a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which of course sends power to the rear wheels, as God intended.

Back on tax day, we asked you what you were paying for gas. I was balking at the fact that I was paying $3.99 per gallon of premium. Well, bring back those salad days. Just five short weeks later (i.e today), I had to shell out $4.27 per premium gallon. And while I have it bad, the Ford Escape-driving lady in front of me had to charge $61 to AmEx. To fill up a teeny little SUV! Gulp. And a barrel of crude now goes for $135 on the open, OPECian market. Which means higher prices are yet to come. Case in point, John Horner shared with us the horrifying news that the IEA is predicting $12 a gallon gasoline. Quick translation: it would cost me $150 or so a tank to fill up my car. Big gulp. So I'm asking you, at what price does a gallon gas make you cry uncle?

I've been reading through the comments y'all are gracing my Audi A5 review with. Roughly half of you seem to feel that the latest from Mr. d'Silva's studio is so good looking, that's its fancy price, drowsy mechanicals and counterintuitive controls pale when compared to its sensuous shape. The other half offer up the quite logical chestnut, "Bah. 335i ." I of course, reserve the right to sit on the old fence. Yes, the 335i trumps the (as tested) A5 in every meaningful way — and costs less — but holy dog food, Batman! In coupe form, the 335i is the ugliest car in production. Just… ick. But then look at me. I drive a station wagon version of the world's second ugliest car (a bright blue flying vag WRX) because it is such a practical car. And (again) look at me. I'm young (ish), single (ish), childless (probably) and relatively affluent (compared to Turkey). I should be driving a Boxster or a Miata or an Elise. But, you can't run to Target for paper towels and mops in those cars now can you. Can you?

"Nice Audi." Every time I rolled up in the glossy red A5, I heard the same refrain. Young, old, rich, poor– if the onlooker had a tongue, they wagged it at me and my Audi. And there you have it. The people have spoken. I find this curious for two reasons. First, das volk haven't driven it. Second, the A5 is a two-door variant of the new A4. Has anyone other than a nurse or desperate housewife looked at an A4 and exclaimed, "Nice Audi?" Perhaps so, but the ad hoc A5 admiration society still raises an important question: is it a nice Audi?

There are numerous reasons why the running of the 24 Hours of LeMons represents the world's best motor racing. Driver skill, huge purses and fancy machinery blistering around the track using the latest in high tech whizbangs aren't amongst them. Even so, LeMons isn't just a bunch of junk heaps running around a track bashing into each other. It's a bunch of junk heaps running around a track bashing into each other with an officiating crew. Should you get out of line (by, say, smashing through the tire chicanes), you get a warning. Should you choose to ignore said warning, they whip out a paint ball gun and shoot your car (this happened to the Black Metal V8olvo). The paint ball is, in effect, a black flag. The driver must leave the track and sit in the penalty box for 30 minutes. But LeMons ain't hockey (it's more violent)– you don't just sit there. No, you get to spin the Wheel of Punishment so the Ides of Fate can choose appropriate castigation. Like this poor sap from the Axles of Evil Audi 4000 Quattro. He got the Max Mosley penalty. And no, it's not having to watch F1 on the Speed Channel for half an hour. Enjoy!

I had an interesting conversation this morning with one Mr. Justin Berkowitz. Among other topics we discussed: the fact that most people are happy with their cars. As car scribes, we have the luxury of ripping apart $44k BMW convertibles because, well, we didn't buy 'em. As RF often points out, an automobile is the average person's second most expensivepurchase. Or, if you live in New York (like Justin) or Los Angeles (like me), a car is by far the most expensive good you can afford (though I did see a lovely two bedroom, one bathroom for the reduced price of only $640k the other weekend…). Years ago a friend of mine bought a 2001 Ford Escort. Horrid, nasty little thing. Ugly, slow, worst build quality imaginable and awful to drive. I told her, "Don't buy that." But, she did. Even after multiple "issues," she still claims she loved it. She even shed a tear when it was totaled. Me, I love my car. It's my second WRX wagon (a 2006). And the more press cars I drive, the deeper I fall head over heals in love with my own car. I can't believe anyone drives anything else. Now, am I that much smarter than my fellow man, or just blinded by love? And what about you and your car?

No, we're not talking about Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson's impending breakup. We're quoting directly from the mustachioed horse's mouth. The headline my friends, is none other than Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche (Dr. Z to you and me) discussing why the 1998 "merger of equals" between Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler failed so miserably. To refresh your memory (in case your life is filled with more interesting activities than watching the disintegration of poorly planned global corporations)… Daimler sold Chrysler for billions and billions less than they paid for it to a hedge fund last year. Our favorite David Cross-lookalike CEO was speaking to gathered business leaders at a symposium about "Global Capitalism, Local Values" trying to explain exactly went so badly. He points to the level of cooperation between MB and Chrysler as being "less" than he would have liked. Dr. Z goes on to say that Daimler learned a valuable lesson. "It's fair to say that we overestimated the potential of passing leading-edge technology from Mercedes-Benz to Chrysler. Unlike premium brand customers, American volume brand customers are far too price-sensitive to absorb its cost." To which TTAC says, "Duh!" And of course, know thy brand.

I'm the first to admit, I'm not the biggest fan of drag racing. Yes, I intellectually understand how powerful, nifty and skilled everyone involved in the sport is. But I'm just not a fan. However — and a big however — I do love the technology that goes into and comes out of drag racing. More power, stronger components and lighter weight. Guess what? Chrysler is about to make all my dreams come true. Motor Authority is describing the Challenger drag racing kit as a throwback to the Hemi Dart and Barracuda packages of decades gone by. Specifically, what do you get? A lighter chassis. This is the big one, as the Challenger SRT-8 weighs more than a 1970 New Yorker. No, really. Internet speculation is claiming the chassis will be 800 pounds less fat. Which is (or isn't) huge. Draggers will also get lots of engine choices (duh), the possibility of a manual transmission, better brakes, seats, cooling, a working hood scoop and a lift off composite hood. The drag racing package is aimed at both pros and amateurs, is currently being vetted by the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) to sanction the kit for competition use. I can smell the top fuel now. And the pomade.

Break out your recyclable paper party hats! Toyota's just sold it's one millionth sorta cute, kinda ugly sensible hatchback with Hybrid Synergy Drive. While the Prius is not quite the Model T (Henry Ford the Senior sold 501,462 Tin Lizzies in 1915 alone), a million vehicles sold in ten (or eleven) years is nothing to scoff at– at least these days (cough Lutz cough Ghosn). Right now, sales are jumping. In April, Priora sales rose 66.6 percent vs. last April. Year-to-date, they're up 22.6 percent. Happily (for Toyota), Priora are also selling like hot, gas/battery-powered hotcakes in Europe, where sales ascended by nearly 33 percent. Japanese Priora sales are up 24.5 percent. ToMoCo's press release calculates that the 1m hybrids silently cruising all over blind pedestrians the world have cut 4.5m tons of CO2 emissions compared to regular vehicles (et tu, Sequoia?). The Moving Forward folk claim that they'll be selling 1m hybrid vehicles per year. Chevy's Volt? Not so much.