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GM considers CVTs for small cars

General Motors Co., aiming to give its small cars a sales edge, may introduce continuously variable transmissions to deliver better fuel economy, executives say. GM doesn't use CVTs now. But they could be used on models such as the Chevrolet Spark, Aveo and Cruze in the next three years, said Mike Arcamone, CEO of GM Daewoo Auto & Technology.

Mazda's rotary engine stalled, not forgotten

Development of the next-generation rotary engine from Mazda Motor Corp., first unveiled three years ago, is making slow progress despite missing emissions targets. A top Mazda powertrain executive said today that the 1.6-liter rotary engine, called the 16X, is about 30 percent more fuel-efficient than the current rotary engine used in the RX-8 sporty car. In fact, the 16X so far performs slightly better than Mazda's standard two-liter gasoline engine, said Mitsuo Hitomi, general manager of the Japanese carmaker's powertrain division.

Exclusive: 2012 Bentley Continental GTC spied – with new V8

First photo of a V8 Bentley Continental We had the launch of the new Bentley Continental GT – the 2011 car – back in September at the Paris Motor Show, but we’re still waiting for what will now be the 2012 Bentley Continental GTC – the drop-top Conti. We had a photo of the new GTC – complete with a slightly odd two-tone paint job – drop in last week, and we’d planned to run the story today – it’s a good filler for a Sunday. But it’s turned in to a bit more than that.