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GM might share the Chevy Volt's powertrain tech with rivals

Car shoppers might eventually find the award-winning powertrain from the second-generation Chevrolet Volt under the hood of another automaker's vehicle – at least if General Motors global powertrain chief Dan Nicholson gets his way. According to Automotive News, Nicholson would be open to partnerships with other companies to share the range-extended setup. "We want to be the partner of choice in propulsion system development in this complex and turbulent era we are approaching," he told the trade publication. For an automaker that wants an electrified solution, the Volt's system would be an easy choice. It combines a 1.5-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors and an 18.4-kWh lithium-ion battery. The EPA estimates the setup is good for 106 MPGe combined and 53 miles of EV range in the Volt. Wards selected the powertrain for its 10 Best Engines list for 2016, and the Chevy won the Green Car of the Year Award. According to Automotive News, a partnership could have serious financial implications for GM and its collaborator. Rival automakers could get a competitive powertrain without the huge expense of research and development. Meanwhile, The General would benefit from larger economies of scale to drive down prices. Don't look for the Volt's powertrain to arrive in other vehicles too soon, though. GM spokesperson Kevin Kelley told Autoblog that he was "not aware of anything going on" in regards to negotiations with other automakers. In the meantime, we'll keep our eyes open for companies borrowing the Bowtie's advanced tech. Related Video: Related Gallery 2016 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive View 24 Photos News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Copyright 2016 Sebastian Blanco / AOL Green Chevrolet GM Technology Hybrid Videos Sedan

Bob Lutz says Tesla remains 'fringe' brand

We've said it before, we'll said it again: Bob Lutz gives great quotes. From his toilet-themed opinion of global warming to Toyota's deity status, the man knows how to get your attention. His latest? Saying that Tesla Motors is and will remain a fringe brand. Take that, Tesla fanbois. This, of course, is the same fringe company that prompted Lutz and his former colleagues at General Motors to start working on the Chevy Volt around eight years ago. The same fringe company that has easily outsold the similarly priced (but don't call it a competitor) Cadillac ELR with its Model S. Lutz did clarify that the fringe status will only last until Tesla comes out with a mass-market electric vehicle that has a range of 200 to 300 miles. Lutz was on CNBC talking about the TSLA stock's recent performance, and he pointed out that even Tesla CEO Elon Musk says that the California automaker's stock is overvalued these days. Despite its prevalence around these parts, Tesla is not yet a household brand. But the company is working hard to get a cheaper, long-range EV to market in the not-too-distant future, so this fringe thing may not last much longer than that show Fringe did. Watch the video below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: CNBC via Green Car Reports Green Chevrolet Tesla Green Culture Electric Hybrid PHEV cnbc

Best Convertibles for 2022

The past decade has not been kind to the drop-top enthusiast. No matter which dealer you walk into, convertible models have been biting the dust left and right. Nissan Z? Audi TT? Buick Cascada? Volkswagen Eos? All gone. Remember the humble Chrysler Sebring/200? Well, you do now. Fortunately, though, the news isn't all bad. There are still plenty of options out there for those who absolutely must have a convertible. Whether you need something to haul behind your retirement cruiser, a performance car that can go toe-to-toe with the best in the world or just something that allows you to sling the roof back after a long day of on-location business meetings before catching the flight back to your everyday hustle and bustle, there's at least one cabriolet out there to suit your needs. Here are our picks and starting prices for the top convertibles in several categories for 2022.  For the frugal open-top lover: 2022 Mini Convertible ($34,650) Let's face it; gas ain't cheap. But open-top motoring doesn't need to be a wallet killer. The Mini is cheap (at least by 2022 standards) and an absolute joy to drive, so there's really no downside here ... except for the roof. Get it?    For the hardtop lover: 2022 Mazda MX-5 RF ($37,260) / 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible ($69,695) The number of hardtop convertibles has seriously dwindled due to weight concerns and the fact that fabric roofs have gotten so quiet, but there are still some options for those who prefer a more coupe-like look with the roof up. Our picks here are the delightfully Targa-like MX-5 Miata RF and literally any Corvette Stingray — even the hardtop has a removable roof!    For long road trips: 2022 Ford Mustang Convertible ($34,100) The first image that comes to mind for many who are told to visualize an American convertible is the classic Ford Mustang. It's not the only drop-top pony car out there, but thanks to the Camaro's tiny trunk, it's much harder to see the USA in a Chevrolet when a drop-top enters the equation. The Mustang has much more cargo space and a much larger opening, which is likely the difference between keeping your bags under lock and key or leaving them exposed in the back seat.    For towing behind an RV: 2022 Jeep Wrangler ($31,590) While many small runabouts make sense for towing behind a motor home (or nestled up inside a fancier one), the Wrangler has a serious advantage when it comes to RVing: it can easily be flat-towed.