Next Chevy Impala to Stay Front-Wheel-Drive, but a Hybrid is in the Works

Now that the Pontiac G8 is officially dead there had been rumors of it living on as a Chevy. Many of us were hoping that GM would release a consumer version of its upcoming 2011 Chevy Caprice police patrol vehicle. Well those rumors were put to rest and now Bob Lutz has confirmed that the next generation Chevy Impala will keep its front-wheel-drive layout.

Lutz didn't provide much detail about the next Impala, only saying that it will be slightly larger. The next Impala will also be compatible with GM's hybrid technology, so an Impala hybrid is expected at some point.

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Lutz States that 335-HP Buick Regal GS and Sport Wagon Could Happen

Last week GM officially unveiled the 2011 Buick Regal, which many of you may easily recognize as the Opel Insignia with a Buick grille. Well it looks like GM has more in the works than just the front-wheel-drive four-cyl powered Regals that were unveiled.

Bob Lutz confirmed that GM is discussing the possibility of 335-hp all-wheel-drive model, which makes sense, since Opel offers the Insignia OPC with a 325-hp turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive. In addition to a more powerful Regal, Lutz also stated that GM is considering a Regal Sport Wagon.

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BMW Delays the Launch of the Next X3 in the U.S. to Mid-2011

BMW is going to delay the introduction of the next X3 by six months to launch a new system that will make it easier for buyers to custom order the X3.

This means that the next X3 will not arrive in US showrooms until mid-2011, a full six months after it launches in Europe. The delay will also allow BMW the ability to offer up to four different engines, which will lower the base price of the X3. According to Jim O'Donnell, president of BMW of North America, the X3 could be offered with a four-cylinder and a diesel in addition to the six-cylinder engines. BMW is going to decide by the end of the year if a four-cyl or six-cyl diesel will be offered. Production of the X3 is also going to X3 will shift from Magna Steyr in Austria to BMW's Spartanburg, S.C., factory.

Of course this delay is going to hurt sales of the X3. Its sales are off 67 percent this year.

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Lutz Confirms the Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon is on the Way

In addition to news about future of the Regal and Impala, GM's Bob Lutz has also confirmed that the Cadillac Sport Wagon is also going to be offered as a CTS-V Sport Wagon. This means that buyers will be able to get the CTS-V any way they want it, since the CTS-V will also be offered as a coupe.

Car and Driver recently got some alone time with Lutz, in which he stated, "You know what's really going to get you guys [on board with wagons] is the CTS-V wagon."

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Smart and Daimler Launch cars2go in Austin, Texas

Daimler has announced the start of a new pilot program in Austin, Texas, in which 200 Smart ForTwos will be available through its cars2go car sharing service.

The program will allow city employees to rent the cars for a few hours and then return them to a designated location. It's similar to Zipcar. Daimler also tested the program earlier this year in Ulm, Germany. If it's successful it will be expanded to other areas.

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