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Europeans ask Chevy to bring Volt back to Europe

A group of French fans is asking for a jolt of support from General Motors to get the 2016 Chevrolet Volt across the pond. The Association Amperistes et Amis des Vehicules Rechargeables is running a Change.org petition that currently has 383 signatures out of a goal of 500. While the attempt is admirable, it's probably going to take a lot more than several hundred people for the model to make a return to the continent after the poor showing of the Opel Ampera – first-gen Volt's European cousin. The group's major argument for bringing a version of the second-gen Volt to Europe is that consumers need "an intermediate choice between expensive or range-limited pure electric cars and plug-in hybrids with a miserable electric range." Furthermore, such a vehicle would prod the competition to produce similarly efficient electrified models. They also lavish praise on the abilities of the Ampera for its long EV driving range. The supporters aren't entirely kind to GM in the petition, though, and claim the company excluded the original car from marketing efforts there. The Ampera actually enjoyed a strong European launch with more orders than initially expected and briefly topped the best-sellers list among EVs there. It was even named 2012 European Car of the Year. Those halcyon days didn't last long, and by 2014 sales fell off to a trickle. The waning reception caused GM's decision not to introduce a version of the new 2016 Volt there or in Australia. Related Video:

2018 Chevy Sonic caught testing in The Motor City

Despite its role as the entry point into Chevrolet's lineup of sedans in America, the Sonic can be a fun little urban runabout in the same vein as the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit. It's also impressively fuel efficient. Suffice it to say, then, that the Sonic is way better than the Aveo it replaces. And, as you can see from these spy shots, the next version of the Sonic is currently being tested in the wintry climes of Detroit, Michigan. The 2018 Chevy Sonic will be based on an updated Gamma platform that will be shared with the all-electric Chevy Bolt. In place of that's car electric motor and massive battery pack will be either a naturally aspirated four-cylinder or small turbocharged engine. Our spy shooters suggest a three-cylinder engine is also a possibility. While it's clear from these spy photos that the development of the next Sonic is well underway, nobody is quite sure where it will be built. Last October, we reported that 500 workers at GM's production facility in Orion Township were being laid off due in part to slow sales of the Sonic – you can thank the growing popularity of crossovers for that – and that plant is now being retooled for production of the Bolt. It's entirely possible that GM has decided to move production of the Chevy Sonic to Mexico, which would allow it to build a more profitable vehicle at Orion Township alongside the Bolt. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Chevy Sonic Sedan: Spy Shots View 9 Photos Image Credit: Brian Williams / SpiedBilde Spy Photos Chevrolet Economy Cars Sedan

Watch this week's Top Gear America used-car challenge

Top Gear America is back for the penultimate episode of the first season. Used car challenges were some of the highlights of the original UK edition. In our exclusive clip, Tom Ford, Antron Brown and William Fichtner run their $7,000 sports cars in a drag race. As expected, the trio chose very different cars for the challenge. Watch the video to see if a Subaru WRX's all-wheel drive can overcome a power deficit to beat a Ford Mustang and a Chevy Corvette. Brown and Fichtner also spend some time relaxing with an old Jeep Wagoneer. Like them, we're really hoping Jeep will bring back the Wagoneer nameplate. Brown also drives a Maserati Levante, proving that not all family cars need be boring. This week's guest star is actor, rapper and former host of Pimp My Ride, Xzibit. Top Gear America airs Sundays at 8 p.m. Eastern on BBC America. Related Video: Celebrities TV/Movies Chevrolet Ford Subaru Top Gear exclusive top gear america