Ever since Fiat re-launched its Abarth brand, we’ve been hearing rumors about a stand-alone sports car that will act as a “halo” car for the Italian brand. Now, British magazine Autocar is reporting that it has learned from credible sources that Fiat has struck a deal with Lotus to use the next generation Elise that’s expected in 2010 as a base for a lightweight sports car with a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout.

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The Lotus Elise R from Stark Automotive offers supercar-like performance for sportscar prices. Claimed figures of 0-60mph (0-96km/h) in 3.9 seconds, 0-100mph (0-160km/h) in 9.5 seconds and a top speed of around 160mph (256km/h) put it in the company of track-day specials and cars that cost far more to maintain and store than the Elise does to buy, but Stark adds its performance for relatively little expense.

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The first Chevy Volt and its E-Flex brethren are still more than two years away, but vice chairman and corporate quote machine Bob Lutz is already targeting 2020 for 1 million annual worldwide sales. The lofty target would go a long way towards the General's goal of meeting tough fuel economy and CO2 standards in the U.S. and Europe, while also providing customers a mass-market choice that can run mainly on electricity. While E-Flex will be a big part of GM's long-term plans, the technology will be slowly introduced to the buying public and ramped up as battery costs drop.

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Lotus unveils the Eco Elise technology demonstrator at the British Motor Show, capitalising on great strides forward in green technology. The Eco Elise project promotes a different perspective on green, one which does not revolve solely around tailpipe CO2. This holistic approach is in keeping with the progressive Lotus culture, driving Lotus to become the worlds green automotive consultancy.

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Lotus hasn't done something silly, like just spill the beans on the name of its new 2+2 that's set to debut at the British International Motor Show on July 22nd. The new four-placer's moniker will start with an E, and it will be an all-new name. Naturally, Esprit has been reserved for the new range-topper, so that's out. Ethos has reportedly been registered by Lotus in the United States, though it's reportedly not the front runner among the three contenders rumored to be under consideration.

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Track cars powered by motorcycle engines are becoming increasingly popular as the superbike mills, usually mounted amidships, provide tons of power for their small displacement and low weight. Further evidence of this truth is seen in the LusoMotors LM23, a Lotus replica powered by a one-liter Honda CBR1000 engine making about 150 horsepower. Weighing just under 900 pounds, the power-to-weight ratio of this machine would be enough to scare just about any other car you are likely to meet at the track while its light weight would surely allow for plenty of grip in the corners.

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Lotus has confirmed it will unveil an all-new model at this year’s London Motor Show in July as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, and although no official details have been given as to the identity of the new car these recent spy shots of a Lotus prototype at the Nurburgring lead us to believe it will in fact be the long-rumored ‘Eagle’ 2+2 GT. A second clue as to the identity of this new model was the release of suspension and chassis details back in February as well as the registration of the ‘Eagle’ name by Lotus in the U.S.

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Lotus is releasing its first special edition supercharged Elise, the Clark Type 25 Elise SC, to honor legendary F1 driver Jim Clark who died four decades ago at the Hockenheim circuit. The British Racing Green and yellow color combo was inspired by Clark's Type 25 F1 car in which he won the world championship in 1963, and aside from the standard hardtop, black and silver Lotus racing wheels, black leather seats, red trim and wooden shift knob, this is the same Elise SC available abroad.

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The El Camino lives, but there are at least 10,000 other possibilities for the yet-to-be named Pontiac G8 sport truck. Pontiac's contest to name the companion vehicle to the G8 sedan closed April 15, drawing more than 10,000 unique names. General Motors officials are now examining the entries, weeding out names that are trademarked by someone else and hope to have a decision by the end of May.

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The Eagle has landed! These amazing spy shots give you the best look yet at Lotus' all-new sports car – an Elise-based 2+2 called the Eagle. Essentially a stretched version of the highly successful roadster, the hard-top Eagle features room in the back for two small passengers and swaps the Elise's four-cylinder engine for a Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre V6.

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Lotus' original 2-Eleven track toy went on sale soon after its official unveiling last year in Geneva, complete with the same 250 hp, supercharged engine found in the Exige S. While it was hard to argue with the 2-Eleven's performance, particularly when you consider that it could be driven to and from the track in the UK when fitted with the right kit, the £39,995 price was out of reach for the average enthusiast. Lotus decided that open-air thrills should be a bit more financially achievable, so it's unveiled a new version of the 2-Eleven packing the Elise R's naturally-aspirated, 189 hp four.

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Called the JJAD Project 001, the thriller has been designed by Jim Dowle, whose previous creations include the mighty Mercedes SLR McLaren and the lightweight Caparo T1. It promises to rival the Lotus Exige with a blend of dramatic styling and an advanced chassis, and weighs in at only 870kg. Power comes from a 200bhp four-cylinder engine capable of impressive performance. It propels the car from 0-60mph in an estimated six seconds, and on to a top speed of 135mph.

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Michigan's economy in the past few years has often been described as gripped in a "one-state recession," and while no one predicts a rose garden for the state in 2008, there are at least some signs this may be the last tough year before the state begins a slow rebound in 2009.

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