The reason most people don't take concept cars too seriously is that manufacturers not only exaggerate styling, but often make major engineering changes to concept cars that kill the concept. To wit: Volkswagen's up! concept car this year (probably going to be using the Lupo namplate, just as the iroc concept car became the Scirocco), was a cleverly packaged rear engine, rear wheel drive city car. It was supposedly going to offer 2-3 cylinder engines, depending on the market. Today the German car pub Auto Zeitung has news that the up! production model will be significantly less interesting. In the name of costs, the rear engine gives way to a front engine. The rear wheel drive of course becomes front wheel drive. And the frugal 2 or 3 cylinder engines? Try small displacement straight 4s. So overnight, our Beetle (or smart) inspired city car has become just another car. That is the last thing Volkswagen needs to compete in the booming market for cars in developing countries.

While the mainstream media (with the help of some freelancing bloggers we could name) are happy touting alt fuel/laptop-powered concept cars and prototypes that will (supposedly) free us of our dependence on the sweet crude crack, the reality is often much less exciting. It's nearly impossible to find out the answer to the obvious follow-up questions about these vaporware or one-of-a-kind models. Infrastructure costs? Safety? Range? Recharge/refuelling time? Thanks to Reuters, we have a little real world information about GM's Equinox hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicle, and it is drastically different from the manufacturer's press release specs. I'll pause while you recover from the shock… While Motor Trend pleasantly regurgitated GM's estimate of three  to five minutes for refueling, Nichola Groom of Reuters observed that the fuel "only lasted about two days." She drove to one of four locations in Los Angeles where you can refuel the Equinox. "A GM engineer refueled for me, a process that took about 15 minutes for half a tank." For aspiring Fields Medal winners, that's 30 minutes to refuel a tank of gas. As the keys click away to comment that "You gotta start somewhere," remember that the first gen [1997 Japanese market] Prius took exactly as long to fill-up as any other car. What really rankles is that GM must know this, and intentionally or not, mislead the press/public. That's not how you build support for new technology, or enhance your credibility in this or any other field. In case you didn't know it.

Last year, when testing Saturn's Opel Astra, I really liked the car. But I also noted that it was obvious how hastily GM brought the import into the U.S. The leading indicator: the 24-hour clock and Day/Month/Year format on the display (time-traveling Michael J. Fox sold separately). For the 2009 model year, I'm happy to announce (to those of you that care) that GM has updated these critical functions to a more American-friendly format. The 24-hour clock gives way to a 12-hour clock for those that can't subtract 12 easily, and the date display will no longer make you think there are only 12 really long days in Febtober, the 25th month. Since it is a damn fine vehicle, the assumption might be that in the month when Honda Civic sales surpassed even the mighty F-150, the demand for any other small, practical vehicles would be at least somewhat higher. Alas, that was not the case. Saturn shifted 1091 Astras in May (contrast this with 1467 Hummer H3s). While these updates (and a new optional heated oil pan) are indeed exciting, one can't help but wonder how the Astra=– rated at a respectable-for-class 24/30 (with America-friendly 4 speed automatic)– would be selling with proper advertising support and an autobox that allowed them to advertise better MPGs. Rethink that.

Here's another feature to put in the category of cool stuff Ford offers that won't sell cars– alongside movable pedals, SYNC and a Tron-inspired keyless entry system. The Blue Oval Boyz are now offering subscription-free 911 service. If the SYNC system detects a crash, airbag deployment, emergency fuel cut off and so on, its automatically calls 911. Ford has contracted with the "National Emergency Number Association" to deal with the details. Although the system's unlikely to get anyone to darken the dealership door, props. The biggest bonus to this kind of service: the resell to existing owners. As any salesman will tell you, once someone survives totaling their newish car, they frequently go straight out and buy another one of the same. This is nice 'n all. But what we all want really is the EcoBoost twin turbo engine.

Audi's nonstop testing of various R8 models, and announcement of all kinds of plans for different powerplants, has raised all manner of confusion and conflicting claims among normal, non-Rainmen. So we've put together a guide of exactly what Audi is doing with their Porsche-fighting sportscar. Keep in mind that while it is possible to list all the different versions, it's unlikely anyone can answer "why" without just saying "competitors offer choices." That they do, but keeping it simple might be nice. So now we bring you the straight dope. For now. Until Audi changes its plans. Again. Without further Audi-do:

Current R8 – 4.2 liter V8, 420 horsepower, 317 lb ft of torque. Similar to the engine in the much-loved RS4, but dry sump in the R8.

Other models in discussion:

– 5.2 liter V10, 500+? horsepower. The engine is believed to be derived from the Lamborghini Gallardo's V10. Previously they were testing a twin turbo version akin to what's in the Audi RS6, but the prototype twin-turbo V10 car caught fire and burned to dust last year.

-6.0 liter V12 TDI, 500 horsepower, 737 lb ft of torque. This diesel supercar was in the Audi R8 Le Mans concept car from the Geneva and Detroit auto shows. And Audi just a few weeks ago confirmed that the monster oil burner will not go into production.

-4.2 liter V8 TDI, 326 hp, 550 lb ft of torque. Unlike the V12, this diesel sports car IS going into production, according to Michael Dick of Audi.

Chevy is stepping it up on the power front. First we get news of the $107k (and the rest) 638hp Corvette ZR1. Now we hear news of the new $40kish Camaro SS. GM says that bad boy will holster a supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V8 good for 500 horses. For comparison sake, the new ($51k?) Cadillac CTS-V will boast a 550-horse powerplant. Pricewise, the Camaro SS' more logical competitors are the $40k Dodge Challenger SRT8 (425hp) and the $42k Ford Mustang GT500 (500hp). For bowtie lovers, the question will be whether to go for the 500 horsepower Camaro SS or make the jump to the $50k base Corvette with 430 horses. Oh, choices, choices. You say the muscle car era is over before it begins (again)? It is. But that just means the used car lot in three years will be the world's greatest meat market.

Mitsubishi has decided to challenge Pontiac's slogan "Pontiac is Car" as the world's worst brand slogan. "Drive @ Earth" is Mitsubishi Motors' new catchphrase. The strapline will begin life in Japan and then roll out to the rest of the world. Mitsu's marketeers explain the slogan by pointing out that cars connect us to the earth and Mitsubishi has some cars with four wheel drive. (Shouldn't that be ON Earth, then?) The Japanese automaker also would like us press people to note that a lot of people want to "buy green" these days, so why not a Mitsubishi? (Why not indeed?) The worst part: I'm not making this up. Let's see… "Drive" is more than a bit over-used; it's half of one-fourth of Ford's new motto. The "@" symbol is a useless stab at modern e-vernacular. And "Earth" is as green-BS as it sounds. And where the Hell else are you going to drive, anyway? The slogan says nothing of Mitsubishi, let alone what their cars mean or why you should buy one. Must. Do. Better. Mitsubishi's U.S. sales are down 23 percent in May to 10,430 units. Next time, put th@ in your pipe and smoke it.

Chevy has dropped the performance specs for the new ZR1 super Corvette. And for the best model line GM currently has, there's no reason to weave the numbers into sonorous prose. So here we go: 638 horsepower from the supercharged 6.2 liter small block V8; top speed is 205 mph, 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, 0-100 in 7 seconds, seats to wet in 1 second. Oh, and because it is June of 2008, we should mention the fuel economy: 14 city/20 highway. Yup, the ZR1 is so badass that not only will it completely smoke anything else with an MSRP under $100,000 (save Godzilla perhaps), but you'll get 20 mpg highway if you keep your foot off the damn pedal. Which may well be impossible. The Corvette is THE most important car in the GM lineup from an image perspective (it's also arguably the best executed car they offer) and they're damn well right to offer super high performance versions every few years, just to cast a halo on the halo car. Finally, we arrive at today's announced price: a hefty $103,000 + a $10,000 options pack (plus dealer rip-off fees). And that means you can either approach the ZR1 as the deal of the century compared to a Ferrari (which costs more and has even higher dealer rip-off fees), or totally overpriced compared to the $72,000 Corvette Z06. As for me, I'd be happy with a lowly base Corvette and its paltry 430 horsepower.

Rumors that Nissan will build Dodge's Hornet compact car are spreading like an STD on spring break. Not only are many of the car blogs– Autoblog, Motor Authority— covering the story, the subscription-only Automotive News is bringing the noise as well. We already knew Nissan would be building compact cars for Dodge in Mexico and possibly other overseas markets, and that Dodge would build the next generation full-size pickup for Nissan. AND we knew Dodge was looking to outsource production of its Hornet compact car to anyone, even the Chinese. So this isn't exactly groundbreaking. But there's other reason to yawn: the people that really care if Dodge has a compact car are Dodge dealers. Nissan moves about 10k Versas per month (handily outselling the much-ballyhooed Honda Fit for example). But it's not what anyone would call a class leader as a vehicle. That means Dodge will be selling a fairly high MPG car, with an extraordinarily ugly shape (if the Hornet concept is the basis) without Nissan's reputation for top-tier and reliable econoboxes. It wouldn't even have the novelty of being the first fully Chinese-made car to sell in the US. The upshot: with a Dodge standard rebate, the Hornet might just be dirty cheap. And I mean dirty.

Okay, so the rumors were wrong and the UK's car magazine was right. The European Focus RS will not have all wheel-drive or 350 horsepower. Ford's officially official announcement: the hot hatch Focus RS will have 278 horses and 295 lb ft of torque from the same turbocharged straight five found in the Focus ST (222 hp), Volvo S40 T5, S-Max, and all manner of other cars. Like the Mazdaspeed3 and Opel Astra OPC, the ponies are harnessed to the front wheels. While this should still be a very entertaining car to drive [for Europeans], it's not the stat-sheet blowing hot hatch we hoped for. And the numbers arrive during the same week as the Lancer Ralliart and Mitsubishi Sportback specs. Ouch. Well not entirely. While the Evo has a high profile in Europe, it's not thought of as the hatchback of choice (until now, it wasn't a hatchback at all, really). The Focus is one of the go-to cars for mainstream buyers. And we conclude this post with the obligatory "it's not coming to America or Canada." Damn!

Those lucky bastards over at Edmunds Inside Line (Robert would call them collaborators) have already got their mitts on the Lancer Ralliart apparently, and with the news of the model released yesterday they posted their review today. Some interesting info that was previously unclear: the engine has a single scroll turbocharger, versus the twin scroll unit on the Evo; also, there is not going to be a traditional three pedal version (dual clutch auto standard and exclusive transmission). EIL did not perform instrumented testing, but estimates 0-60 to be on par with the WRX and Mazdaspeed3, and price was also not released, but will probably clock in somewhere between $25,000 and $30,000. Worry not, though; we at TTAC will be driving and reviewing the Lancer Ralliart ASAP.

When it comes to family-hauling vehicular solutions, we're at the end of the tunnel. In the face of $5 a gallon gas, SUV and minivan sales have vaporized. The mushroom cloud of market crash is overhead. One need only look at the discrepancy between SUV/CUV and small car sales to realize we're in the dystopic, post-apocalyptic era– as far as Detroit's concerned. While Ford rushes its Fiesta compact into production (hola!) and focuses on its existing passenger cars, they've come up with the Flex, a big ass people mover. Seven seats and xB style. How great is that?

As GM’s FastLane and GMNext blogs have demonstrated, the U.S. automobile industry has fully embraced the concept of blogging– as press release. Toyota, of course, has entered the e-fray. Their Open Road blog may do little (as in nothing) to stretch the boundaries of Web 2.0-itude, but it offers the usual insight into the corporate culture from which it sprang. ToMoCo’s plugging the new Venza crossover, designed to fill the gaping hole in their lineup between the Camry, RAV4, Highlander, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner and Sienna. Into the depths we descend…

Mitsubishi has unveiled the Lancer Sportback, which is their fun language for "hatchback version of the Lancer." While it may not be the world's finest execution of a hatch in the history of cars, the Lancer is already a good looking vehicle and the added flexibility is most welcome. Mitsubishi's also announced  the Ralliart version of the Lancer, which we've been waiting on since we realized that the regular Lancer is as much fun as eating glass. The Ralliart retains the 2.0-liter DOHC engine, but turbocharges its way to 236hp and 253 lb ft of torque. All that power is routed through a clever all wheel-drive system. While we can't yet confirm it for the US, the SST dual-clutch transmission IS go for European production. Considering the American love affair with automatic transmissions and Mitsu's desperate need to move metal here, the dual clutch gearbox's entry into the North America market seems highly likely. Sounds like the Evo's little brother will make for a great WRX competitor.

The Detroit News is reporting that sales of motorcycles and scooters are way up– a sort of positive-spin story to balance out the doom and gloom of gas prices and some bad finances for other Detroit-based businesses. Yes, many motorists are so loving the low cost and high mileage of their scooters and motorcycles. You know why they get great mileage? Low weight. Why such low weight? Because they're just engines with wheels. We have safety standards for cars for a reason– including crumple zones, federal crash test performance, brakes, airbags and seat belts. Scooters and motorcycles are allowed on the roads merely because they have been grandfathered into legality. If there was no such thing as a motorcycle until now, and someone invented them, you can be sure they wouldn't be road legal. There's a reason EMTs like our own Stephan Wilkinson call motorcycles "donor cycles" and would like to see them disappear. And speaking of EMTs, what's the impact going to be on ambulances and emergency rooms as cycles become more widespread?