Sporty Blue 2dr Coupe W/sunroof on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Marchionne now considering 'Plan B' partners for FCA merger

Okay Sergio, just stop. With the sting of rejection from General Motors CEO Mary Barra still fresh, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne is moving on and trying to find another automaker to merge with. FCA may not be giving up hope on a merger with GM, but that doesn't mean it isn't at least considering alternatives. Sergio's so-called "Plan Bs" include the Volkswagen Group, as well as smaller Asian outfits, like Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, and Hyundai. Bloomberg reports that France's beleaguered PSA Peugeot Citroen could as a sort of "fallback" option due to its relative lack of volume, an unidentified source claimed. There are, of course, problems with each option. According to Bloomberg, Volkswagen expects complete control of a company, but the Agnelli family, which holds a large portion of FCA stock, is loathe to relinquish its stake in the company. On top of that, VAG just isn't looking to make a deal right now. Mazda, meanwhile, is enjoying a new partnership with Toyota and Suzuki is partially owned by VW. Honda and Hyundai have never expressed any interest in a partnership with a western automaker. That kind of just leaves the French then, but even that remains a long shot. As Bloomberg tells it, PSA boss Carlos Tavares is still working on a turn-around plan, and would want at least another six months to execute before even considering a deal with FCA. And even then, Tavares hasn't given any indication that he's considering a pairing. News Source: BloombergImage Credit: Paul Sancya / AP Chrysler Fiat GM Honda Hyundai Mazda Suzuki Citroen Peugeot Sergio Marchionne FCA Mary Barra psa peugeot citroen

2016 Honda Odyssey Special Edition bundles entertainment system, vacuum for $34,255

The crossover may have supplanted the minivan's popularity, but few vehicles match the capabilities provided by two big, sliding doors and a huge cabin for larger families. With that fact in mind, Honda has updated its highly popular Odyssey with a new Special Edition trim for 2016. Here's what you need to know. The Odyssey SE builds on the $33,305 EX trim by adding a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt rear outlet, the HondaVAC vacuum cleaner, and satellite radio. Total cost for this family friendly tech? An agreeable $34,255, or less than $1,000. That price is extremely favorable compared to the 2015 Odyssey, where an entertainment-equipped Odyssey required the EX-L trim and retailed for $38,255, and a HondaVAC demanded the top-of-the-line Touring Elite trim and a check for $45,480. Bringing the entertainment system and HondaVAC into lower trim levels isn't going to impact the rest of the Odyssey lineup, though. The EX-L with rear-seat entertainment will still be offered, and its price has only jumped $550, while the Touring Elite's price has only jumped $150. And while it might seem like Honda is giving away the farm with the new SE, it's still worth noting that the EX-L adds a lot to the EX package, including a number of safety features, as well as heated leather seats and a power liftgate. Related Video: 2016 Honda Odyssey Poised to Clean Up and Entertain with HondaVAC™ and Rear Seat Entertainment Now Applied to New Special Edition Model High-value Special Edition includes premium features such as Rear Entertainment System, SiriusXM® Radio and HondaVAC™ to offer families even more choice of Honda's award-winning minivan Aug 3, 2015 - TORRANCE, Calif. The 2016 Honda Odyssey goes on sale August 4 with a trim lineup expanded to eight models and a starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)1 of $29,275. Slotted between EX and EX-L trims, the MSRP for the new Special Edition (SE) is $33,375 With the acclaimed HondaVAC® and a comprehensive selection of premium features available lower in the trim lineup, along with class-leading EPA fuel-economy ratings of 19/28/22 mpg2 city/highway/combined, the 2016 Odyssey is designed to comfortably and efficiently accommodate the lifestyles of American families.

Watch a motorcycle racer nearly rub the wall at Macau's track

Motorcycle racer John McGuinness is no stranger to dangerous racetracks, having scored multiple victories in the frequently deadly Isle of Man TT. In this video, he trades the Snaefell Mountain Course's winding roads for the incredibly tight confines of the Macau Grand Prix circuit. The track is like China's version of the Circuit de Monaco, and it looks barely wide enough for two bikes to fit at some points in this clip. The claustrophobic layout makes the street track famously difficult for racing and occasionally deadly. McGuinness gives viewers a great tour of the track on his Honda Fireblade, and he frequently has his shoulders nearly grazing against the wall. You really get a sense of just how narrow the course gets. The ride looks both terrifying and very fun. If you want to see more of McGuinness' skill, here's a clip of him riding at Le Mans at night. We look forward to watching him at the Isle of Man again this year, too. McGuinness not only set a new electric bike lap record there in 2015 but also won the SES TT Zero Challenge. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.