Like Michael Jackson, the Hummer brand was once popular and considered cool, but lately, the maker of adult Tonka trucks garners about as much public admiration as Wacko Jacko himself. With a slap to their noggins in the form of high gas prices, those poseurs who previously bought Hummers as 6,600-pound, 10-mpg fashion accessories are thankfully a nearly extinct breed. Though there is now the smaller, somewhat more sensible H3 for those tenderfoots, nothing less than a 2009 Hummer H2 SUT will do for those who engage in "National Geographic"-caliber off-road adventures and who tow big-boys' toys.

While the regular H2 utilizes typical SUV design, the H2 SUT (Sport Utility Truck) is more like a crew-cab pickup truck. Both H2 variants are identical from the nose to the rear doors, after which the SUT has a small pickup-style bed in place of the covered cargo compartment. The H2 SUT also features GM's innovative Midgate design (as seen on the Chevy Avalanche). The Midgate in the H2 SUT has a power rear window that descends into a folding panel that in turn can flip down (after the rear seats are folded down) to extend the bed into the cabin.

Thanks to recent refinements, the 2009 Hummer H2 SUT is the best one yet, though there's still no getting around its XXL size and heavy thirst. If you don't have a hankering for a small pickup bed and can instead live with a conventional SUV, other choices such as the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX56 and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class offer more on-road refinement, more accommodating cabins and not-as-horrible fuel consumption.

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Portugal has never been any kind of hub of automotive industry. This did not stop Jose Miguel Conceiçao Rodrigues, a Portuguese businessman who runs a classic-car dealership here. He embarked on an ambitious path to come up with a home-breed sports car named the Vinci GT that has reached the prototype and mock-up stage.

Rodrigues teamed with the nonprofit Center for Excellence and Innovation in the Auto Industry (CEIIA). Together they started the Retrosport company to draw up the design. The Vinci GT was penned by Ernesto Freitas, a designer whose portfolio also includes the Dutch Hansen GT-R sports car.

The look of the prototype is very '60s. Power comes from a 6.0-liter Chevrolet V8 capable of 475 horsepower, mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox. Most of the components were produced locally. Retrosport hopes to launch production in January 2008 of a total of 100 cars, each costing the equivalent of $341,000.

Meanwhile, the company has mocked up a second model, the transverse midengine Vinci Sport, which appears like nothing so much as a modernized Ferrari Dino. Further plans for this design have not yet been announced.

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The world premiere of the GTC Concept (Gran Turismo Coupé) at the 77th Geneva Motor Show gives an insight into how dynamic and refreshing Opel's new design language will look in the future. "This concept car demonstrates the new interpretation of the Opel brand," explains Alain Visser, Executive Director, European Opel Marketing. "The GTC Concept embodies the confident, emotional direction we're taking with Opel. Its exciting lines combined with its high driving dynamics and interior flexibility reflect what the Opel brand trademark characteristics will be in the future." Even a new, more refined brand emblem, with the Opel name proudly embossed into the Blitz ring, is suggested.

"The GTC Concept importantly signals the next chapter in Opel's design identity," says Bryan Nesbitt, Executive Director, GM Europe Design. "Our team strategized to envision the new essence of Opel - more confident, relevant and distinctive - in a high-performance, yet versatile, four-seat coupé. This style is what to expect of future Opel products.

"You have seen a number of recent concept cars become reality at Opel," says Hans Demant, Opel´s Managing Director and GME Vice President Engineering. "Concepts like the GTC Genève and Antara GTC or the Flex-Fix rear carrier system from the TRIXX previewed their production variants. This car is a confident ambassador for the brand and could play a similar role for us, previewing the engineering and design cues of our next-generation Opels."

The four-seat coupé is powered by a 220 kW/300 hp, 2.8-liter V6 turbo gasoline engine and features an intelligent, electronically-controlled four-wheel drive system, which provides optimum traction and stability as well as excellent agility in all driving conditions.

Brand-typical on-board flexibility is ensured by the thoughtful "Flex4" system (patent application submitted). The backs of both rear seats can be docked separately to the front seats by remote control, creating a spacious three or two-seater with flat load floor and up to 1020 liters of luggage compartment capacity. As is typical of Opel cars, the seats do not have to be removed or installed.

Dynamic design: Visually communicating the Opel brand promise

The GTC Concept reveals the next-generation of Opel styling. Much like the Opel Speedster did in 1999, or the GTC Genève Concept did in 2003 this car marks a break in the evolution of Opel's design language and signals that the next chapter is about to be written.

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The first all-new Lotus since the iconic Lotus Elise made its debut in 1995, The Lotus Evora enters the sports car market as currently the world's only mid-engined 2+2. Powered by a Lotus-tuned 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 PS, and weighing just 1350 kg (prototype specification), the Lotus Evora promises breathtaking performance. During preliminary testing around the famous Nürburgring, the Lotus chassis engineers report that it is extremely agile and great fun to drive - even when clad with the full development disguise that hid the beautiful lines from the prying motor-industry paparazzi.

In addition to its excellent performance and exemplary handling, the Lotus Evora offers a more refined ownership experience than Lotus's existing smaller four-cylinder models. Its elegantly styled cabin is elegantly trimmed and its equipment list includes contemporary features such as an advanced touch-screen multi-media system and electric power-fold door mirrors.

Because one of the roles of the Lotus Evora is to attract new customers to the Lotus brand, much attention has been paid to its ease of use. Wider, taller door apertures and narrower sills make getting in and out of the cabin a less athletic undertaking than it is in Lotus's smaller sports cars (the Elise, Exige, Europa and 2-Eleven), while the design of the cabin itself will accommodate two 99th percentile (6ft 5in tall) American males in the front seats.

The Lotus Evora has been designed with global automotive regulations in mind, and future derivatives are planed, these including amongst others, a convertible.

The Lotus Evora will be hand crafted and built on a dedicated new assembly line within Lotus's advanced manufacturing facility at Hethel in the east of England; capacity limitations will restrict production to approximately 2000 cars a year, ensuring the dynamic new sports car's rarity and exclusivity.

Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc, has this to say about the exciting new model: "The Lotus Evora is the biggest milestone Lotus has achieved since the Elise was born 13 years ago and is part of our bold five year strategic plan, which includes the introduction of new cars and technologies to many more markets around the world. The Lotus Evora also represents Lotus core values of performance through light weight and efficiency and proves that you can have phenomenal performance, fuel efficiency elegant design and practicality all in a class leading mid-engine 2+2 sportscar, which will meet global safety and homologation standards"

Mike Kimberley continues, "Looking to the future, we will continue to research, develop and produce lighter, more efficient vehicles which are linked to our extensive and well-regarded work on all aspects of future fuels, alternative engines and electric and hybrid vehicle solutions for the future. We all have an environmental responsibility to future generations and the Lotus Evora is another example where Lotus is seen to make significant steps towards improving the efficiency and sustainability of the motorcar keeping Britain at the forefront of the high technology motor industry."

THE LOTUS EVORA IN DETAIL

Style or function? Have both... Designed 'in-house' by Lotus Design, the sleek and athletic form uses fluid forms and crisp surfaces to communicate velocity, agility and sophistication. Low and wide with modern cab forward proportions, muscular rear haunches and function optimised hip air intakes this is clearly a serious mid engined sportscar that skilfully hides the practicality of its two plus two capability.

Russell Carr, Head of Lotus Design, led the Lotus Evora's design team with Steven Crijns, Design Manager responsible for the exterior and Anthony Bushell, Senior Designer, responsible for the interior.

"A cornerstone of the design's success was working closely with the technical team to develop a package that allowed us to get the proportions correct," says Head of Design Russell Carr, "The asymmetric wheel sizes, the short rear overhang, long front overhang and cab forward visor screen all contribute to giving the car visual movement and an agile stance. This is incredibly important to us because we want the car's aesthetics to communicate its driving characteristics".

Lotus products have always embodied a perfect balance between form and function and the Lotus Evora successfully continues this heritage. "We never lost sight of the fact that, although this car must provide real world useability, sportscars are emotional purchases and that you have to seduce the customer through beguiling looks and exotic persona. We are, therefore, very proud that we have been able to use technical and user functionality to positively drive the design in key areas and create some of the car's most distinctive features". says Carr.

Ingress and egress, for example, dictated a minimal "step-over" to get into the Lotus Evora. We simply cut away the surface under the door and created a unique and dramatic piece of sculpture that enhances the stance of the car as well as its useability.

Elsewhere, aerodynamic considerations for drag, down force and cooling had significant but positive influence on the overall form and details such as air intakes. A desire to create balanced down force, that increases cornering performance, led to the adoption of, the now, "signature" top exit radiator vent, race car inspired diffuser and "floating rear wing". Drag limitation, drove the dramatic tear-dropped cabin layout and the curvaceous plan view has given the car a more muscular rear shoulder and conveys a level of sophistication appropriate to this market segment.

"We believe that our designs should be honest as well as dramatic and so we are really pleased with the fact that these iconic features all do a real job" says Steven Crijns, Design Manager.

Automobili Lamborghini has unveiled its new, exclusive model, the "Gallardo Nera", which is based on the Gallardo Coupé Model Year 07. This special edition model, limited to 185 units, is an impressive showcase for the extensive individualisation options offered by Lamborghini's personalisation service 'ad personam', which transforms each and every Lamborghini into a unique vehicle.

'ad personam' provides a wealth of options for enhancing the interior and body of the vehicle according to specific personal tastes. Other individualisation requirements can also be met, such as special colour paintwork. This allows the customer to create a unique sports car that reflects his personality and satisfies his own style down to the smallest detail.

The Lamborghini Gallardo Nera, which is available in Europe in the basic colour "Nero Serapis", while for USA in "Nero Noctis", features special paintwork in matt black on the side mirrors, rear spoiler, rear body panels, roof, selected front panels and on the door sills and rear apron. Additional details such as matt black rims in the "Callisto" design with the Lamborghini logo, brake callipers in silver, white side indicator lenses and darkened tail lights complement the martial look of the exterior.

The interior is styled in the colours "Nero Perseus" and "Bianco Polar" using the "bicolour sportive" equipment variant. A further "Branding Package" and the 'ad personam' equipment package provide additional distinctive touches. The additional leather package variant in "Bianco Polar" includes leather trims for the climate control operating panel, handbrake and gear lever console in addition to the inner door handles. The seats boast rhomboidal stitching in the "Q-citura" pattern, which can also be found on the Alcantara roof lining, door trims and the partition wall between the seats and the engine compartment. Instrument rings and decorative stitching on the steering wheel, plus white piping on the seats and mats, round off the modifications in the interior.

The Lamborghini Gallardo Nera includes, as standard, a navigation system, rear-view camera, on-board computer, alarm system, lifting system and a made-to-measure vehicle cover. Optional equipment for the model includes the e gear automatic transmission, an engine hood with transparent glass panels, a Bluetooth-compatible radio and carbon ceramic brakes.

Like the Lamborghini Gallardo Coupé MY07, the Lamborghini Gallardo Nera boasts the established V10-cylinder engine with a displacement of 4,961 cc and an output of 382 kW (520 hp). It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 4 seconds (0 to 62 mph in 4 seconds), and reaches a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph). The drive train of the mid-engine sports car includes permanent all-wheel drive, based on Lamborghini's proven VT (viscous traction) system.

Innovations of the Lamborghini Gallardo model year 07 (Coupé and Spyder)

As already mentioned, the Lamborghini Gallardo Nera is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo MY07. The Coupé and Spyder versions of Lamborghini's most successful model of all time enter the year 2007 with slight modifications. The serial production car's enhancements include the steering wheel, flattened on the underside with partially galvanised areas; the galvanised instrument circles; the bespoke vehicle cover and the skyroof in imitation leather (Coupé).

The base colour "Marrone Janus" and contrasting colours such as "Bianco Polar" and "Azzurro Australis" (also Spyder) are now available as colour options for the interior.

Two are the new items for the Coupé: carpets coloured in dark brown, orange and red, and the Interiorline Unicolor sportive.

Furthermore there are available the following options for Gallardo Modelyear 07: Alcantara roof lining and Alcantara pillers, small interior carbon package, steering wheel in suede or perforated leather.

The most significant change can, however, be found in the brakes: for the first time, the highly efficient carbon ceramic braking system, which is already available in the Lamborghini Murciélago, is now offered as an optional feature on the Gallardo range. For extremely high brake performance requirements, on request the vehicle can be equipped with carbon ceramic brakes measuring 380 mm x 36 mm with six piston brake calipers, which reduce the brake pedal pressure and shorten the braking distance. With the standard steel brakes already producing first class performance, the optional carbon ceramic brakes provide absolute insensitiveness to fading. Further advantages are brought by a considerable reduction in weight and greater durability, in addition to the brakes' attractive aesthetic appearance.