How much will a 56.2-mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard cost consumers? On average, $6714 per car (in 2008 dollars), says the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "This model requires a 20 percent PEV (plug-in electric) market share to meet the standards-drastic by any measure," CAR says in its analysis.

Like his colleagues in Detroit, GM China Group president and managing director Kevin Wale spent a lot of time last year revising sales forecasts. But unlike the GM execs in Motown, who watched helplessly as American buyers stayed out of showrooms and the U.S. vehicle market imploded, Wale was forced to keep revising his forecasts dramatically upward. "I started 2009 forecasting the Chinese market at 9.5 million units," says Wale, a laconic Aussie who came from GM's Holden operation to run Vauxhall in Britain, before moving to GM's Chinese headquarters in Shanghai five years ago. "I undercalled it by four million units."

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show is turning into a regular environmental fair - with the exception of the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 of course - and now Nissan is joining the bunch with a special

Formula One uses a Mercedes SLS AMG. The Indianapolis 500 has a Chevrolet Camaro SS. Now, you can add a Lexus LF-A to the growing list of high-powered pace cars that have been used this year by a bonafide racing event.

The current Hyundai Genesis Coupewent on sale in United States dealerships back on February 26, 2009. It was a pretty cool sports car powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder that delivered 212 HP and 217 lb.-ft. of torque, but for 2011,

UPDATE: Latest intel suggests that this is a diesel-powered Jeep destined for possible military use overseas. A shame if true, we say.

Hits the lake sometime next year

Ford Australia had an embarrassing problem with its high-performance six-cylinder Falcon sedan: The Ford Performance Vehicles F6 was, er, faster than its V-8-powered counterpart, the FPV GT. The F6's 4.0-liter straight-six might have had the same bore-center spacing as the straight-six fitted to the first Australian-built Falcon a half century ago, but like Grandpa's axe, everything else had been replaced or renewed over the years. With its twin-cam, four-valve cylinder head and Garrett GT3540 turbocharger, the F6's all-Aussie six delivered 415 horsepower and 416 pound-feet of torque. The U.S.-built 5.4-liter V-8 that powered the GT boasted just 7 more horses -- and 10 pound-feet less torque. As a result, the GT was a second slower over the quarter mile and, because it weighed more, less fun in the twisties.

Remember the Seat Leon Cupra R 310 WCE revealed back in June? It’s okay, if you don’t because we’re going to give you a little refresher anyway.

If you thought Mazda's RX-7 replacement was dead, think again. A source based in Hiroshima confirms that the company is testing an RX-7 prototype and that one mule is powered by a bi-fuel rotary which can run on either gas or diesel. Mazda's evaluation department has reportedly invited several external drivers and racers to test the mules, while the design team has sought feedback on ideas from potential buyers at top secret customer clinics.