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We really want to use an eCrate to restomod an old GM car. Here's what we'd build

You hopefully saw the news today of GM's introduction of its Connect and Cruise eCrate motor and battery package, which effectively makes the Bolt's electric motor, battery pack and myriad other elements available to, ah, bolt into a different vehicle. It's the same concept as installing a gasoline-powered crate motor into a classic car, but with electricity and stuff.  This, of course, got us thinking about what we'd stuff the eCrate into. Before we got too ahead of ourselves, however, we discovered that the eCrate battery pack is literally the Bolt EV pack in not only capacity but size and shape. In other words, you need to have enough space in the vehicle to place and/or stuff roughly 60% of a Chevy Bolt's length. It's not a big car, but that's still an awful lot of real estate. There's a reason GM chose to simply plop the pack into the bed and cargo area of old full-size SUVs. Well that, and having a rear suspension beefy enough to handle about 1,000 pounds of batteries.  So after that buzz kill, we still wanted to peruse the GM back catalog for classics we'd love to see transformed into an electric restomod that might be able to swallow all that battery ... maybe ... possibly ... whatever, saws and blow torches exist for a reason.  1971 Buick Riviera Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski: If you’re going to build an electric conversion, why not do it with style? ThatÂ’s why IÂ’m choosing a 1971-1973 Buick Riviera. You know, the one with the big glass boat-tail rear end that ends in a pointy V. Being a rather large vehicle with a big sloping fastback shape, IÂ’m hoping thereÂ’s enough room in the trunk and back seat to pack in the requisite battery pack. That would likely require cutting away some of the metal bulkhead that supports the rear seatback, but not so much that a wee bit of structural bracing couldnÂ’t shore things up. The big 455-cubic-inch Buick V8 up front will obviously have to go. Remember, this was the 1970s, so despite all that displacement, the Riviera only had around 250 horsepower (depending on the year and the trim level). So the electric motorÂ’s 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque ought to work as an acceptable replacement.   1982 Chevrolet S10 Associate Editor Byron Hurd: OK, so the name "E-10" is already taken by a completely different truck, but let's not let labels get in the way of a fun idea.

Buick confirms US-market Envision CUV to be built in China

As expected, the Buick Envision will come to the US market in 2016, and as rumored, it'll be GM's first product imported from the People's Republic. Buick confirmed the news today, while also releasing a number of technical details on the mid-size CUV, which has sold nearly 130,000 units in the Chinese domestic market in the first 11 months of 2015. When it arrives in US dealers next summer, the Envision will feature a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder EcoTec four-cylinder. Good for an estimated 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, the four-pot turbo is paired to a well-received six-speed Hydra-Matic 6T70 transmission. That's the same automatic gearbox that's offered in the turbocharged Regal and Regal GS and the current six-cylinder LaCrosse. The entire affair is underpinned by torque-steer-fighting HiPer strut front suspension, a crossover first for Buick, with a four-link setup in back. According to Buick, the Envision will also get the same Active Twin Clutch all-wheel-drive system being offered on the Cadillac XT5 and the new LaCrosse. Like the Chinese-market Envision, Buick is offering the USDM model with active grille shutters, LED running lights, LED taillights, heated front/rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 19-inch wheels, and a Bose stereo as standard. Buick also lists highlights like Active Noise Cancellation and an eight-inch IntelliLink infotainment system, although it's not clear whether these are standard features. There's no word on which auto show the Envision will debut at. Considering the timing, next month's Detroit Auto Show is a strong contender, although if Buick wanted to really drum up headlines ahead of its on-sale date next summer, it'd formally introduce its newest CUV in April, at the New York Auto Show. Either way, expect to see more of this handsome, Chinese-built CUV soon. Related Video: Buick Envision North American Market Fact Sheet 2015-12-04 The Buick Envision was designed, engineered and tested in Michigan as a world-class luxury crossover to challenge the world's best competition. It was awarded Motor Trend SUV of the Year in China and has 127,085 sales so far this year. When it goes on sale in 2016, it will play an important role in a crossover lineup that currently represents 60 percent of Buick sales in North America. It targets customers shopping between the Encore, the best-selling Buick in eight years, and the Enclave, which has continued to grow its customer base since its 2007 introduction.

Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee returns June 19, celebrates with new trailer

A brand new season of Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee on the way - it will involve Seinfeld and comedian Robert Klein going to Sing Sing Correctional Facility in what appears to be a Jaguar Mark II - and the trailer is out now. In addition to Klein there'll be appearances by Sarah Jessica Parker, George Wallace, Aziz Ansari and John Stewart. We don't get to see all the rides, but a Buick Riviera GS gets some airtime and the 1949 Porsche 356/2 Gmund from the segment with Jay Leno makes a cameo. The first episode airs on June 19, you can watch the trailer by scrolling down. News Source: Crackle via YouTube Celebrities Humor Buick Jaguar Porsche Classics Videos jerry seinfeld comedians in cars getting coffee cicgc jon stewart