VOLKSWAGEN GTI MK VI UNVEILED IN CONCEPT FORM

From the start, Volkswagen brass knew they were onto something. In an era when fuel prices necessitated fuel efficient automobiles but people weren't yet weaned off of hi-po muscle cars, Volkswagen merged two things: efficiency and fun. The first GTI is legendary; not just for being a trend-starter, but for being a good car.

The third generation Golf-based GTI was a bit of a letdown. Weight increases led to a need for more power. But the V6 in the front of a small car did it no favours. Late last decade, the GTI MK IV improved in so many ways, but compared with some of its more nimble competitors, that GTI was a sluggard.

Presently we have the fifth-generation GTI, a car that takes a refined and technologically advanced engine and pairs it with a willing chassis. Yes, it is a big car and yes; it is a heavy car. But now it's hidden. The GTI is fun to drive, and its iconic and memorable characteristics have landed it on GoodCarBadCar.net's The Good 12. 

For the sixth-generation GTI, a hatchback completely based on the Golf (Rabbit in North America), VW won't mess with a successful formula. A humble hatchback package is enhanced with stunning wheels (the current telephone dial wheels are ranked #2 in autodom), tartan seats, and bits of red trim splashed throughout the exterior and interior. The 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder will be bumped upwards by 10 horsepower. The real engine advancements come in terms of efficiency and cleanliness.

Check out the new Golf/Rabbit here

Volkswagen has found a way to drop the GTI's CO2 rating by 11g/km. Its fuel economy rating on the EU cycle should go up by 2.3mpg. The gallery for the new GTI - officially still in concept form - is below.

OLDER MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS RECALLED FOR POWER STEERING PROBLEM

The first-generation of Mercedes-Benz M-Class wasn't exactly renowned for its quality feel. It's no surprise to see the 1998-2003 M-Class called up to the front by NHTSA for power steering problems more than a decade after it was introduced.

102,954 Mercedes MLs could have problems with a hose clamp that's used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the fluid cooler. Without sufficient clamping for this connection, there could be a loss of fluid and, over time or quite suddenly, a degrading power steering pump.

Suddenly losing power steering on a beast of this size is no joy. The fact that it could result in an ML320 or ML500 crash won't surprise you. All vehicles previously repaired for this issue on an earlier Recall should be brought in again because the first repair might not've cut it. Confusion as to whether or not your M-Class Benz is included can be cleared up with this M-B number: 1-800-367-6372. 

AUDI Q5 STILL A NUMBER OF MONTHS AWAY

For those of you in Europe, expect to see the smaller-than-Q7 Audi Q5 next summer. Those of us in North America will wait an extra six months, likely not seeing the Q5 at dealers until 2009...

Apparently Alan Mulally didn't unite with GM to bring The Good Car Guy to Detroit today. He took off for China, where a second Ford plant (to build Ford's and Mazda's) just opened in Nanjing. I.... am.... hurt....

Mercedes-Benz new C-class has a base price in the United States of just a hair under $32,000. A C350 Sport removes $37,275 from your savings account. Thanks, have a nice day, hope you've got enough left for fuel....

Two GM representatives met me at the airport, one inside and one outside. Friendly guys; one driving a Tahoe splayed with "E85" and "Ethanol" graphics. So far so good, this first substantial experience I had in GM's latest and greatest spelled out some small but interesting tidbits. The sun was in my eyes, so I pulled down the visor. Hmm, nice headliner material. Firm visor hinges. Hey, that's a fairly handsome IP. Roomy, too. Then again, this is a massive transportation device and there are just two of us....

GENERAL MOTORS UAW STRIKE'S #1 FACT

Depending on your perspective, there is one fact in two parts that intrigues me more than anything else when it comes to today's announcement that 73,000 United Auto Workers from some 80 facilities would strike.

You ready? Every hour during which this strike survives means 760 General Motors' vehicles are not built. 12,200 per day. Whether you have a backlog of cars and trucks and SUV's or not; that's just gotta suck.

Oddly enough, for the first time in almost thirteen years I'm in Detroit, ready to test drive a whole bunch of GM cars tomorrow. Unlike lightning, irony can strike in the same place more than once.

2009 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE AVAILABLE WITH 4.7L V8

Named by The Good Car Guy as the third-best looking car for the company CEO in a GCBC Top 5, the Maserati Quattroporte is being upgraded.

Two new leather options replace beige: Marrone Corniola and Sabbia. The new grille is more GranTurismoesque. LEDs are present at both the front and rear. A new centre console ought to be more ergnomic and the new Maserati Multimedia System incorporates a new (and one would hope, incredibly improved) navigation system. 

But you kind of don't really actually truly care at all. The Q'Porte S is now fitted with a 4.7L V8 generating 430 horsepower, a pleasant bump over the standard and significantly less torquey 400-bhp 4.2L V8. The gallery for the 2009 Maser Q'Porte is below.

WHAT IS THE CHRYSLER ELECTRIC VEHICLE?

Like the Jeep EV that was discussed on GCBC already, the Chrysler Electric Vehicle is capable of 40 miles on electric power alone that's also able to travel 400 miles with the help of a gasoline engine. Power for the Chrysler EV, a Town & Country minivan, is rated at 255 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Minivans are perfect family vehicles and prone to deep consideration from those who need both space and environmental friendliness. Chrysler will be able to use the T&C as a mule for other front-wheel drive applications. ChryslerGoesElectric.com explains all of this more thoroughly.

Check out the GCBC posts on the Dodge EV and Jeep EV here

WHAT IS THE JEEP ELECTRIC VEHICLE?

New fuel-saving technology isn't hitting the SUV market quite as quickly as it's taking over the small car segment. You'll soon be able to purchase a very inexpensive Honda Insight. The Toyota Prius is known to all. Upgrading significantly to the Chevrolet Volt isn't too far off. In the sport-ute world, the soft crossover Lexus RX400h is way too expensive and not financially beneficial. The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is based on a vehicle - the Tahoe - that doesn't conform with the habits of a huge chunk of the populace.

Read about the Dodge EV here

But Chrysler has a plan with the Jeep EV, based on the Wrangler four-door, to take a classic vehicle into the new world. Jeep calls it a range-extended electric vehicle that "uses an electric motor, an advanced lithium-ion battery system, and a small gasoline engine with an integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed." 268 horsepower and 295-lb-ft of torque power the Wrangler EV, but the powerplant can work, like the Chevy Volt, up to 40 miles without the internal-combustion engine. Overall, a range of 400 miles is anticipated. Chrysler LLC sees the Wrangler is the perfect type of vehicle to work with in-wheel electric motors, an idea the Lightning Electric Car has brought to fruition.

Check the news on the Chrysler EV here