General Motors isn’t set to begin producing the new Chevrolet SS until early next year, but the company has recently been spotted testing the model on U.S. streets. Our spy photographers managed to click a few photos of a heavily camouflaged version of the sedan before engineers spirited it back into the relative safety of the automaker’s facilities. Even so, those on hand could easily hear the bark and snarl of an impressive V8 propelling the machine around. Odds are that’s a naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter lump behind the headlights, though GM was using a Cadillac CTS-V chase vehicle to keep pace, leading some to speculate as to whether or not the company may be considering a supercharged version. Funk Flex
(Video) Auto Talk: New Acura ILX ads promote its mullet-like nature
It’s business in the front, party in the back for this 2013 Acura ILX ad that premieres June 4. Funk Flex
(Video) Auto Talk: Why the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is so damn special
The phrase “instant classic” gets thrown around a lot these days, and applied to all sorts of mediocre stuff, from mass produced retro muscle cars to Italian exotics that are astonishing only by virtue of price. Truth be told, you can probably count the numbers of cars that have ever been deserving of such a label on one hand (and perhaps have a finger or two left over). Certainly the Mercedes-Benz 300SL is one of the few. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Ford watching Europe’s reaction to Mustang in new ads
Ford doesn’t sell its Mustang in Europe, but that hasn’t stopped fans from the UK to Poland from figuring out ways to procure one. The Mustang is playing a part in Ford’s “Go Further” ad campaign – which showcases the global portfolio and is aimed at changing perceptions by being discreet with Ford branding – and that gets air time in Europe. Funk Flex
Auto Talk:Nissan announces Russian expansion
Nissan wants to be big in Russia. Right now, the brand brand lays claim to 5.9 percent of the Russian market, and the plan is to increase share to ten percent by 2016. That means moving nearly 500,000 vehicles a year, more than triple the 161,000 total units moved in 2011. Nissan plans to muscle up its production at its St. Petersburg plant, doubling output to 100,000 vehicles for 2014. Funk Flex
