Bmw M5, M6 Owners Manual on 2040-parts.com

July 11: Visiting a rival

I will take it to work all week, including Wednesday when I go to Santa Monica to drive a Nissan Leaf electric car. I wonder how they'll take to seeing a competitor in the parking lot. Not far enough to worry about range, though I will look for a charging spot in Santa Monica.

GM lobbyist Ferguson named global head of Cadillac

General Motors has appointed its chief lobbyist to the newly created post of global Cadillac chief, a step aimed at transforming the American luxury brand into a strong worldwide player. Robert Ferguson, 53, who has been GM's vice president of global public policy, becomes vice president of global Cadillac. He reports directly to GM CEO Dan Akerson, the company said today.

GM bets on new four-cylinder family in Europe; U.S. plans unclear

General Motors' European subsidiary, Opel, has revealed a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine that will be offered from early 2013 across its lineup, starting with the soon-to-be-revealed Astra-based Cascada convertible. The aluminum block unit, the first in a new range of so-called SIDI (spark ignition direct injection) ECOTEC engines, forms the centerpiece of the company's downsizing strategy for displacement. The engine is claimed to have improved torque characteristics and a significant reduction in consumption compared with its predecessor.