Category: Drive Time

Well, There Ya Go

Business, Drive Time

That wasn’t so hard now, was it?

General Motors has announced that production of the newly updated 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV will end after approximately 18 months to make way for a gas-powered Buick crossover at its Kansas manufacturing facility.

Inside EVs reports that General Motors has confirmed plans to discontinue production of the heavily updated 2027 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle after a limited production run of about one and a half years. The decision will allow the automaker to repurpose its Fairfax, Kansas, factory for manufacturing the Buick Envision, a gas-powered crossover currently built in China that will be reshored to the United States.

Could it be that the Duracell Envision is getting undercut in the CCP market because of the subsidized price of their competitor?  I have no idea, although I wouldn’t bet against it.  Here’s what I do know:

The decision to move Envision production to Kansas represents a strategic response to trade policy pressures while the company also prepares to relocate gas-powered Equinox production from Mexico to Kansas in 2027.

The automaker faces pressure from the Trump administration to increase domestic manufacturing, particularly affecting vehicles like the China-built Buick Envision, which is exposed to tariff-related concerns. Meanwhile, the Bolt has been impacted by the loss of the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs, reducing its competitive advantage in the marketplace. With relaxed fuel economy regulations, GM sees less business justification for the electric vehicle compared to a gas-powered crossover that offers higher profit margins.

So for once, GM is doing the Right Thing, albeit only after having a Trump-sized cattle prod rammed up their corporate ass.

And as for that “no gas-powered cars after 2030” or whatever, let that remain in the fevered (and stupid) dreams of the Greenies and Californian state government [some overlap]  while we sensible people get on with our lives and drive proper cars.

Right Direction?

Drive Time

Okay, maybe it’s not all doom ‘n gloom on the automotive front:

A legendary British muscle car, which went out of production 50 years ago, is set to be reborn as a luxury model for the 21st century – and it won’t be powered by batteries and electric motors.

The returning classic will be built near Oxford and powered by a V8 petrol engine, bosses behind the new project promise.

Banbury-based car firm Jensen International Automotive (JIA) on Wednesday confirmed that its ‘all-new, ultra-high-performance, luxury Grand Tourer’ will arrive this year.

And from the single teaser image shown, the new car is set to follow in the tyre tracks of the iconic Jensen Interceptor, with a two-door shooting brake silhouette.

Here’s the teaser pic:

Of course, that looks nothing like the old Jensen, more’s the pity:

…but at least they’re adhering somewhat to the Jensen formula of “British styling, American engine”, opting for the Corvette 6.2-liter V8 instead of the Chrysler 6.3-liter.  This way, they can call on 495hp compared to the older engine’s 250hp (anemic by today’s standards, but quite astonishing in its day).

From the looks of things, their target market would be… one-time Jaguar drivers.

Now tell me that didn’t push the needle of the old Irony Meter off the scale.

“I Want To Drive It Fast”

Drive Time

Our girl Nicole discovers what happens when you strap a 450hp Lotus engine to a skateboard.

And she has several Big Moments.

In a recreation of one of my favorite cars of all time.

(You may want to turn your speakers down if you’re watching this in company, or at work.  Otherwise, stick on the lids and crank it up, like she did.)

Sadly, I think my time has passed to enjoy driving a car like this… although I sure would like to test that hypothesis.

Preference

Drive Time

We’re all familiar (or should be) with the fine AC Cobra, the pinnacle of Carroll Shelby’s achievement, I think:

I mean, what’s not to love?  Those voluptuous lines, that tiny wheelbase and of course that burbling (also roaring) Ford V8… it almost epitomizes the concept of “affordable” [sic] race cars.

The key to the above is “race”, because the Cobra is very much a racing car, best suited for the track and much less so as a cruiser — as anyone who’s ever driven one for any distance may attest.

I however have a preference for its inspiration, the lovely Sunbeam Tiger:

Same performance: yup, that outstanding Ford 260ci (4.3-liter) V8, but with a more classic — shall we say “dated”? — shape.

And here’s one example of a restored Tiger:

…but unlike the Cobra, the Tiger comes with a hard top:

…which, if you happen to live in a place without proper open-top driving, is infinitely preferable.

Also, the Tiger doesn’t look like a stripped-down racer inside:

Much nicer, methinks.  And for about a hundred grand, this particular one would definitely make it into Kim’s Lottery Garage.

Just to putter around town, en route to shopping, the range etc.

Oh, and by the way?  The Tiger’s little brother, the Alpine Mk III, was James Bond’s first car (in Dr. No ).  It had a dinky little 1.6-liter engine.