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Automakers want to stop the EPA's fuel economy rules change, and why that's a shortsighted move

With a Trump Administration looming, the EPA moved quickly after the election to propose finalizing future fuel economy rules last week. The auto industry doesn't like that (surprise), and has started making moves to stop the EPA. Ford CEO Mark Fields said he wanted to lobby Trump to lower the standards, and now the Auto Alliance, a manufacturer group, is saying it will join the fight against cleaner cars. The Alliance represents 12 automakers: BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota, VW, and Volvo. Gloria Bergquist, a spokesperson for the Alliance, told Automotive News that the "EPA's sudden and controversial move to propose auto regulations eight months early - even after Congress warned agencies about taking such steps while political appointees were packing their bags - calls out for congressional action to pause this rulemaking until a thoughtful policy review can occur." The EPA was going to consider public comments through April 2017, but then said it would move the deadline to the end of December. That means that it can finalize the rules before President Obama leaves office. The director of public affairs for the Consumer Federation of America, Jack Gillis, said on a conference call with reporters last week when the EPA originally announced its decision that it is unlikely that President Trump will be able to roll back these changes. Gillis also said on the same call that any attempt by the automakers to prevent these changes would be history repeating itself. "These are the same companies that fought airbags, and now promoting the fact that every car has multiple airbags," he said. "These are the same companies that fought the crash-test program, and now are promoting the crash-test ratings published by the government. So, it's clear that they're misperceiving the needs of the American consumer." There are more reasons the Allliance's pushback is flawed. Carol Lee Rawn, the transportation program director for Ceres, said on that call that the automotive industry is a global one, and many automakers are moving to global platforms to help them meet strict fuel economy rules around the world.

Jaguar C-X75 James Bond movie car is going up for auction

Back in 2010, Jaguar presented a show-stopper of a concept: the C-X75. Besides its curvaceous body, it boasted a wild hybrid powertrain with a gas turbine engine providing electricity. Sadly, it never reached full production, and it only reappeared as a villain car in the James Bond film Spectre. But between the concept and the film, there were a few production prototypes built as part of a planned 250, and a few stunt cars. Auction company RM Sotheby's is offering one of the latter cars. This Jaguar C-X75 stunt car is actually the first stunt car built, according to the auction house. The stunt cars were built by Williams Advanced Engineering, the same company that has been competing in Formula 1 for decades. The stunt car has little in common mechanically with the concept, or the five prototype cars Jaguar built with four-cylinder hybrid powertrains. Under the skin is a custom tubeframe chassis and long-travel rally car suspension. Powering it is a version of the Jaguar F-Type's V8 engine with a dry-sump oiling system. It's coupled to a sequential manual six-speed transmission and a rear transaxle with a mechanical limited-slip differential. Brakes are AP Racing units and are adjustable from the cabin, and they feature a hydraulic handbrake. One consequence of this stunt car's burly underpinnings is that the cockpit is more like that of a race car, with a small Momo steering wheel and toggle switches and controllers all over. But this unsophisticated cabin has played host to some famous folks. The car was used for getting shots with the actors, with a driver's seat mounted to the top. Since this was a villain car, the actor in the driver's seat was Dave Bautista. The car also was featured at the Mexico Grand Prix to promote the movie, and Felipe Massa took it for a test drive. RM Sotheby's hasn't given an estimated price for the car, but expect it to be expensive. If you have the means, it will be crossing the block at the auction company's Abu Dhabi sale on November 30. The car will come with a bill of sale, a movie call sheet and a specification sheet from Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations. We're not sure that this car would be able to be titled in the U.S., but we bet it would be just as fun, if not more so, on a race track, rather than public roads.

2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR is the quickest kitty in Geneva

"Always follow your local speed limits," says a disclaimer at the bottom of Jaguar's press materials for its new F-Type SVR. Granted, every single new car you can buy in America is capable of accelerating well past the highest official speed limit in the United States. This new Jaguar, though, is another matter entirely, boasting as it does a top speed of 200 miles per hour. Not since the famed XJ220 has Jaguar offered such a compelling speedster. Whereas that slinky coupe relied on a 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine and a five-speed manual transmission, the 2017 F-Type SVR benefits from a supercharged, 5.0-liter V8 pushing out 575 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic. Also unlike the supercar of old, the SVR's all-wheel-drive system means it can potentially serve as an all-weather sportscar. My, how times have changed. Looking past its headline-grabbing 200-mph capabilities, the F-Type SVR can accelerate from 0-60 in a scant 3.5 seconds in coupe form. Buyers who prefer the wind in their hair get slightly lower performance peaks, with a 186-mph top speed and a 3.9-second run to 60. Either way, this Jag will make its owner look good, with aggressive hood vents, massive air intakes in the fascia and a carbon-fiber spoiler that automatically raises and lowers from the car's rear haunches. Considering that the F-Type V8 is already one of the best sounding cars for sale in America, we have no doubt that the SVR, with its brand-new inconel titanium exhaust system, will emit a sound second only to God's own chariot. Pricing starts at $126,945 for the coupe or $129,795 for the convertible. If we have one complaint, it's that British Racing Green is not one of the seven available colors. For shame, Jaguar. Make ours Ultra Blue and we'll forgive you, just this once. View 16 Photos Related Video: