Driving the Chevy Volt isn't special, and that's good

We've had our first taste of the drive system under development for General Motors' pioneering Chevrolet Volt, piloting a test mule based on the Chevrolet Cruze at the company's Warren (Mich.) Technical Center, and it left us hungering for more. Yes, it's an electric car, but mostly, it's a car--one you could imagine driving every day without feeling as if you were engaged in a lab experiment. Frank Weber, vehicle line executive for the Volt, gets his nose out of joint if you call the drive system a hybrid.

SsangYong SIV-1 Concept heading for Geneva

Another new SsangYong Concept – the SsangYong SIV-1 – is heading for Geneva 2013 to join the new Rodius debut. SsangYong are heading to the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with a new version of the Rodius, which we’re hoping (although not with too much confidence) will be a big improvement on the very challenging looks of the current car. The hope that SsangYong will manage to deliver a Rodius that doesn’t frighten small children is boosted today with the first photos of a new concept from the Indian-owned Korean car maker – the SsangYong SIV-1 Concept (pictured above) – which will arrive at Geneva alongside the new Rodius.

China's BAIC interested in Fisker Atlantic model

A delegation from Beijing Automotive Group, or BAIC traveled to Fisker's facilities in California over the weekend, China Daily is reporting is reporting. BAIC has expressed interest in the Fisker Atlantic electric car, a vehicle that was at one point slated for production until Fisker ran into money problems back in March. Since that time, a number of Chinese automakers in addition to BAIC have shown interest in the technology.