98 99 Malibu Engine 3.1l 6-191 Vin M Fed on 2040-parts.com

Driving the Chevy Volt isn't special, and that's good

We've had our first taste of the drive system under development for General Motors' pioneering Chevrolet Volt, piloting a test mule based on the Chevrolet Cruze at the company's Warren (Mich.) Technical Center, and it left us hungering for more. Yes, it's an electric car, but mostly, it's a car--one you could imagine driving every day without feeling as if you were engaged in a lab experiment. Frank Weber, vehicle line executive for the Volt, gets his nose out of joint if you call the drive system a hybrid.

Who's Where: Chris Chapman appointed as Hyundai Chief Designer

Former BMW designer Chris Chapman has been appointed as Hyundai's Chief Designer, based at its design center in Irvine, California. He will be responsible for both advanced and production design for the Korean brand and replaces Phil Zak, who left the company early in 2011 to return to GM. He will report to SukGeun Oh, Head of Design, Senior Executive Vice President Hyundai Design Center.

Three-cylinder Ford Focus is pushed to show off performance potential

Ford has plans to bring a three-cylinder EcoBoost engine to its U.S. lineup in a bit more than a year from now, likely in the Fiesta. But for a car-buying population that thrives on horsepower and 0-to-60-mph times, it might be hard to get excited by a 1.0-liter three-banger.