Report: Mitsubishi to kill Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant

2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse - Click above for high-res image gallery

It turns out the rumors we heard about the languishing Mitsubishi lineup are true. According to Automotive News, Mitsubishi is planning to drop the axe on the entirety of its American-made portfolio of vehicles in order to begin building new global platforms here in the States. That means that the Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant will all be sent to pasture gradually between now and 2014. In their place, Mitsubishi is likely to begin building cars and crossovers off of the Lancer and Outlander bones at the company's Normal, Illinois manufacturing facility. At least some of those vehicles will be hybrid or battery powered.

Mitsubishi has made it clear that the company will offer eight hybrid and battery-powered vehicles by 2015 in a move to be better prepared for rising fuel prices. The company saw a sales increase of around three percent last year, and by 2013 or 2014, the automaker says that it plans to see that figure at 37 percent. That would mean that Mitsubishi would need to move a total of 1.37 million vehicles by that date.

Launch control is back on 2012 Nissan GT-R

2012 Nissan GT-R - Click above for high-res image gallery

The GT-R obessives at NAGTROC managed to secure a copy of the 2012 Nissan GT-R owner's manual and discovered that Nissan has reinstated the formerly verboten Launch Control feature for the 2012 model. But this time it's called something different.

The new name is R Mode Start Function and the screen cap on the right lists off what you need to do to click of 0-60 mph runs in the low three-second range - or even the high twos, according to some preliminary reports.

After several reports of transmissions and half-shafts grenading themselves soon after the GT-R hit U.S. shores, Nissan removed the L.C. feature for the 2011 model year. This revised system seems to do the exact same thing, although the 4,000 rpm rev-limit is significantly higher than the last version and the ECU limits the start function to four consecutive runs before its disabled to protect the GT-R's twin clutches and the rest of the transmission's oily bits.

Gallery: 2012 Nissan GT-R

Opinion: Has Honda lost its footing?

When Honda handed out sketches of an all-new Civic Concept last December, they received a warm welcome from those anticipating big changes for the maker's long-popular compact sedan.

So, the Honda press conference at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show last week triggered more than a bit of confusion - and even some disappointment. True, we journalists are used to seeing things watered down when an automaker moves from sketch to concept, and then from concept to production car. But the Civic Concept revealed in Detroit is no fantasy in chrome. If anything, in terms of design, it's only a moderately warmed-over version of the current compact sedan.

Which raises some serious questions about Honda's strategy at a time when the compact market is becoming more competitive than it has been in years. Until recently, Honda could assume that the only real competition for the Civic would be the Toyota Corolla. No longer.

Drift battle pits c against Kawasaki ZX10

The bike vs car debate extends into the drifting arena - Click above to watch video after the jump

Regardless of where you stand on the "drifting is/isn't a form of motorsports" debate, it's fun to watch a car being piloted on full opposite lock. But is it possible on a motorcycle? Icon Motorsports rider Nick Brocha answers with a fat sideways-smoking yes.

Icon may be know for providing gear for maniacs fans of two-wheeled transportation, but they also sponsor a team of skilled bikers. Brocha is one of those riders and he pits his modded Kawasaki ZX10 against Jim Guthrie and his Corvette-powered Mazda RX-7 drift machine. Add in some cameras and a prime location and we have ourselves an entertaining video, which you can watch after the jump.

Muscles in Brussels: Land Rover launches Defender X-Tech edition in Belgium

Land Rover Defender X-Tech Limited Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Belgians may not be known as much for military prowess as, say, for beer or waffles - at least not since conquering the Congo, anyway - but Brussels is also the seat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO was established as a united front against the Communist bloc, and still stands as one of the most formidable alliances of nations this side of the Star Wars empire. A perfect place, then, to unveil a paramilitary-type vehicle like the X-Tech Limited Edition.

Easily as tough as any Hummer or Jeep, the X-Tech is based on the Land Rover Defender - one of the most rock-solid rock-crawlers ever devised. It's available in either silver, three-door Defender 90 form or in five-door Defender 110 long wheelbase in olive green, both offset by black roof, wheel arches, interior and new "saw-tooth" alloys. Not a major upgrade on the standard model, but just enough to give it the attitude it deserves.

Unveiled at the Brussels Motorshow, the Defender X-Tech is unfortunately unavailable in the North American market, but you can dream by checking out the gallery below.

Gallery: Land Rover Defender X-Tech Limited Edition

Your Porsche 911 GT3 isn't that fast...

Tackling Eau Rouge: F1 vs Track-Day cars - Click above to watch video after the jump

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium plays host to a variety of racing events, ranging from from Formula One and touring car to weekend track days. When out on the course in a production car, it might feel like you are conquering the Eau Rouge better than any human on the planet. This video mashup is here to remind that you're not.

This isn't ground-breaking information, but it is interesting to see just how much faster an F1 car is around a series of high-speed turns. Someone over in the VWVortex's Car Lounge decided to overlay two videos of the same corner, and while they don't line up perfectly, you get the point. Check it out after the jump.

BYD: Want to sell our cars? Sell our light bulbs too!

BYD E6 at 2011 Detroit Motor Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

China automaker BYD is in no hurry to launch in the States, and it shows in its plan.

BYD has been displaying cars at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit for three years now, and it originally planned to launch an electric car by the end of 2012 to consumers. Now that's looking like 2013, according to Mike Austin, vice president of BYD's U.S. division.

In the meantime, BYD is testing some cars in a fleet with the Housing Authority of Los Angeles.

The plan is for the company to find at least five dealers who are willing to not only sell a BYD e6 electric and a plug-in hybrid, called the f3DM, but also BYD LED lights, solar panels and other products related to "green" living. "We aren't pursuing the typical sales and distribution model," says Austin.

BYD has gained notoriety for its rapid rise in China and for the investment in the company made by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, which owns 10 percent of the company best known for lithium-ion batteries for mobile phones and other consumer electronics.

Last year, BYD sold 520,000 vehicles in China - impressive but well short of its stated goal of 800,000 units.

Austin says the company has not selected dealers yet, but acknowledged that the business model for selling BYD's other products will not appeal to some dealers. "That's okay, because we are doing something unique here. We are in not in a hurry to launch in the U.S.," says Austin, who noted the growth in the Chinese market that BYD is trying to manage.

The five dealers BYD is looking for at launch is the start of a network planned to grow to 20, and according to Austin, not all of the dealerships at launch will be in California.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: BYD E6

Chevy offers free driving school to all Corvette buyers for limited time

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery

We operate under the impression that on the whole we live in the best period of automotive innovation and power that the world has ever seen. Manufacturers are turning out four-cylinder engines with more horsepower and torque than the mighty V8 lumps of just two decades ago and eight pots that boast fuel economy numbers as impressive as their dyno charts. These days, mega power is mega cheap and more accessible than ever. But, as Uncle Ben reminds us, great power comes with great responsibility, and to that end General Motors is offering all corvette central a chance to learn how to get the most out of their machines.

For a limited time, GM is giving away vouchers to both of the company's Corvette Driving Schools to anyone who buys any model of a new Corvette. Typically, the driving schools are free only to those who lay down the coin for a mighty ZR1, but for a limited time, The General is splurging for Coupe, Convertible, Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1 buyers to go on the company's dime. The schools are at the Bob Bondurant school in Phoenix, Arizona and Ron Fellows school in Las Vegas, Arizona.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible

Report: Honda recallying 2,277 Accord and CR-V models over wiring problem

2010 Honda Accord Sedan - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to USA Today, Honda has announced that it is recalling 2,277 Accord and CR-V models for an electrical coupling that may have been damaged while the engine was being installed in the vehicles. If this is the case, the engine could stall during normal operation. The condition impacts certain 2010 Accord and CR-V models, and as of right now, no injuries or accidents have been reported due to the problem. Still, Honda says that it's important for owners who are notified of the recall to take their vehicles in for inspection. Honda is expected to repair or replace the connector free of charge.

Owners of impacted vehicles can look for letters informing them of the recall in February. Repairs are slated to begin shortly thereafter. Hit the jump to see the NHTSA recall announcement.

Gallery: 2011 Honda Accord Sedan

Gallery: Review: 2010 Honda CR-V

Report: UAW's King threatens to expose carmakers who avoid unions as "human rights violators"

United Auto Workers president Bob King wants to reverse the UAW's eroding course, and one of the best ways to strengthen its position is through increased membership. The Detroit News reports that King and company are looking to bring the power of one to the nearest transplant automaker producing vehicles in the U.S. King says that he wants foreign automakers to know that the UAW has learned from past mistakes and that the rank and file is not "the evil empire." Good to know, right? Well...

After King informed the transplants that the dark side has no power over the UAW, he then went on to tell automaker management at Toyota and Honda that efforts to block the right to fair bargaining will be branded "human rights violators." King reportedly went on to accuse some transplants of spending millions to keep unions out of plants, adding "I would not want to be a company that was branded as a human rights violator." And what happens if the UAW feels the automakers are continuing to block workers' rights to vote for or against the right to organize? King says the next step is to stage global protests that could cost automakers "hundreds of millions of dollars" to combat.

Spy Shots: Jaguar XK facelift spotted

Jaguar XK spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Our elusive spy photographers have captured the first glimpse of the facelifted Jaguar XK coupe out testing near the automaker's development center in Coventry. This doesn't appear to be a major overhaul, with the exterior only changing minimally, including a new front fascia with revised headlamps, larger side sills and a very slightly touched-up rear fascia, including a small wing on this prototype. (We don't expect that to be commonplace on all XKs, as it's not exactly the most attractive element on the coupe.)

This may not be an all-new version of the XK, but our spies suggest that some changes might be on tap for what's underhood, mostly in an effort to keep the coupe fresh for a few more years. We don't take issue with the current range of naturally aspirated or supercharged 5.0-liter direct-injected V8 engines - both engines are relatively new, after all - but some dynamic tweaks would indeed keep the XK at the front of our minds for years to come.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Jaguar XK

Chrysler 200 Convertible photos leak out

2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler is set to debut the 2012 200 Convertible at the New York Auto Show in March, but through the magic of the Interwebs, the first crop of official images has already leaked out. The new 200 sedan isn't a bad-looking car, and while the convertible's design isn't the most attractive creation (that rear end still looks plenty awkward), it's certainly better than the outgoing Sebring.

Aside from the deletion of a fixed roof, expect the Chrysler 200 Convertible to be largely the same as its sedan counterpart, with interior refinement and engine choices all being carried over. This means that both the 2.4-liter inline-four and 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 should be underhood, and the end result is a cabriolet that, while better than the model it replaces, certainly won't take your breath away.

Gallery: 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible Leaked Photos