1998 Pontiac Grand Am Factory Brochure-grand Am Gt & Se on 2040-parts.com

General Motors boosts output of the Cadillac CTS V6 for 2012

General Motors has reworked the 3.6-liter V6 engine used in the CTS for the 2012 model year, boosting output while maintaining the fuel-economy ratings of the less-powerful V6 from 2011. The 2012 version of the V6 delivers 318 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. That compares with 304 hp and 273 lb-ft for the 2011 version.

2009 Michelin Challenge Design theme announced

Michelin today announced the 2009 theme for its global vehicle design competition, Michelin Challenge Design (MCD), asking entrants to explore the future of transportation and share their brave and bold vision for 'America's Next Iconic Vehicle.' Designers this year are asked to render unique vehicle concepts that demonstrate emotional appeal, design courage and technical execution. Additional consideration will be given to entries with attributes that benefit safety and the environment and include a separate rendering of the tire and wheel component assembly.   Vehicle designs that best represent "Brave + Bold, America's Next Iconic Vehicle" will be reviewed by a jury of professional designers whose names will be announced later in 2008.

Driven: Fisker Karma

Even top-flight car designers are usually not known for their business acumen. So Henrik Fisker's announcement that he would build the "the world's first luxury plug-in hybrid" was met with some cynicism as he stood next to his Fisker Karma concept at the 2008 NAIAS in Detroit. Three years on and CDN is one of the first to get to drive Fisker Automotive's production Karma, a car so hot of the press this model is number three or four off Valmet Automotive's production line in Finland.