No one at General Motors is talking publicly about a rumor post over at InsideEVs that claims the 83-horsepower, 1.4-liter range-extending gas engine currently used in the Chevrolet Volt will “definitely not” be the engine that is used in the 2014 model-year Volt. And, by no one talking publicly, we mean that our emails have gone unanswered. InsideEVs just got an “Unfortunately, we do not comment on future product details, so I cannot provide any information related to your inquiry,” from GM spokesperson Kevin Kelly. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: 2012 Jaguar XJ Sport And Speed
When an automaker tells us its “performance package” raises a vehicle’s top speed from 155 mph to an even more astronomical velocity, we often have to take their word for it – public roads don’t allow such madness in the States. But in Germany, where the Autobahn still remains unlimited in some parts, it is a whole different ball game. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Ferrari Enzo successor’s homely visage spotted
We’re not genuinely concerned… yet. Though these latest spy photos show the latest version of Ferrari’s next top-of-the-line machine out in the Italian public wearing embarrassingly ugly bodywork, we’re still taking a wait-and-see attitude and holding out hope that the upcoming Prancing Horse hypercar is a stunner. If it ends up looking more like the F40 or F50 than the Enzo… well, that would be just fine by us, too. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Facelifted Kia Sorento even getting in on the ‘Ring thing
It looks as if Kia is hard at work sorting out some of the suspension woes in the company’s Sorento. Photographers spotted this camouflaged version thrashing around the Nürburgring recently. More often than not, manufacturers use the track for suspension development, and while the Sorento debuted to generally strong reviews, its stiff-legged ride came in for criticism. That complaint was addressed with the uplevel SX trim and its dual-flow dampers, which were subsequently retrofitted to the rest of the line. We’re not sure if the prototype seen here is rocking that same technology, but the ‘Ring is as good a place as any to sort out dynamics and ride. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Saab to hire 200 engineers, might build gas cars with Mahindra
The brand formerly known as Saab is still intent on teaching The Little Engine That Could a few ticks about persistence. We say “formerly known” because it turns out that National Electric Vehicle Swedent (NEVS), the Sino-Japanese investment consortium that just bought the majority of Saab’s assets, minus Saab Automobile Parts AB, may not actually own the rights to the Saab brand name. According to a report in Di.se via Saabs United, NEVS will need to negotiate with Scania and the Swedish aerospace and defense group, Saab AB, for the right to name its forthcoming electric car the Saab 9-3. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Next Renault Clio RS spotted nearly ready to hatch
A new Renault Clio is due to be revealed at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September, and based on these spy shots, it appears that also means a reveal of the Clio RS. Caught by the lenses at CarPix, several changes to this model versus the standard Clio seem to identify it as the hot hatch: larger front intakes, wheels and brakes, front LEDs relocated to the bumper, and a diffuser between twin pipes out back. Funk Flex
