Aptera hits a speed bump

While the streamlined, electric two-seat Aptera 2e may be one of the most efficient cars ever designed, the process of getting it to market is becoming a little less efficient.

Original plans had the 2e going on sale this year, but the company said on Wednesday that the car will be available to consumers starting in 2010. No specific date was set.

Officially, the delay is caused by money problems--Aptera doesn't have enough of the stuff. Or, as president and CEO Paul Wilbur cleverly put it, "The vehicle development progress has been outpacing the rate of fundraising."

Rumors are that Wilbur wanted to make the car more user-friendly, with roll-down windows, for example, a change that necessitated further engineering.

Aptera is awaiting a loan from the Department of Energy, which moved closer to reality when President Barack Obama approved the three-wheeled 2e's classification as a car instead of a motorcycle.

Published reports say 10 of the company's 40 employees in North San Diego County were laid off, while Aptera cofounders Chris Anthony and Steve Fambro will be "stepping aside from day-to-day activities" and "taking a short leave of absence," the company said in its release. Fambro will "re-engage with the company in the new year."

Speculation has it that Anthony and Fambro wanted the car to go to market quickly with its original fixed windows, while Wilbur wanted a more traditional car. Officially, everybody's still getting along and there is peace in the Aptera family.

"Paul's leadership and [chief engineer] Tom Reichenbach's talent have led to changes in the vehicle that are spot-on," Fambro is quoted as saying in the release. "They've made the vehicle safer, it's better-handling and more comfortable. Once we get through this stage, we'll begin mass producing the 2e--the most aerodynamic and efficient vehicle in the world."

The nearly 4,000 deposits on 2es remain in an escrow account and are fully refundable, the company said.

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Arrivin’ in style

11 November 2009 - 10:00

Video: arrivin’ in style

We've never really paid much attention to how pace cars turn up at race tracks. We always assumed they just, sort of, drove there.

But at last weekend's NASCAR race at the Texas Motor Speedway (somewhere in the US, so we're told), the Chevrolet Camaro SS pace car demonstrated that there's only one way to arrive at a race in style.

In a Chinook helicopter.

As a salute to US military veterans, the monster double-rotor chopper touched down by the side of track before releasing the Chevy from its belly in a sort of, er, glorious metallic birthing act.

The Camaro was driven by NASA astronaut Doug Hurley, who is not only a US Marine Corps colonel, but also holds a Texas Motor Speedway season ticket and piloted the shuttle Endeavour to the International Space Station in July. We think Doug Hurley might be coolest man in the world.

Anyhow, this got us thinking: surely F1 must respond in suit? We want the Merc SL63 (or whatever car it'll be next year) to arrive at the first race in Bahrain next year... carried by a pack of mechanical winged monkeys. We shall settle for nothing less.

Chrysler beefs up holiday incentives

Chrysler, seeking to boost sales after a dismal October, launched a major new incentive campaign Friday.

Chrysler timed the announcement so dealers could place ads in their local media outlets over the weekend and ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday period. The incentives take effect today and run through Jan. 4.

On many vehicles, Chrysler is increasing consumer cash by $1,000 to $1,500 over existing incentives.

For example, Chrysler is offering an extra $1,000 on the Chrysler 300 and 300C. That means a rear-wheel-drive 300 with a sticker price of $28,010, including shipping charges, will now sell for $25,010.

Other new incentives include offers of zero-percent financing for 60 months on the 300, 300C, Dodge Charger and Dodge Nitro; lease discounts of $500 to $1,000 on minivans; and cut-rate financing for 2008 and 2009 Dodge Vipers.

Grouped by brand

The incentives are grouped by brand, illustrating the growing independence in strategies for Chrysler's four vehicle lines. For instance, Dodge has a variety of consumer cash, financing and lease discount options. But Jeep offers only $1,000 consumer cash on all every vehicle but the Wrangler.

Earlier this month, Chrysler announced a five-year plan that predicts the automaker will break even on an operating basis in 2010 and on a net basis by 2011. The forecast is based in part on restoring market share lost in its slide toward a government-directed bankruptcy this spring.

Chrysler has relied on more aggressive incentives than rivals during the downturn. Consumer auto site Edmunds.com has said the true cost of Chrysler incentives in October was about $3,219 per vehicle sold, compared with a $2,468 industry average.

About 88 percent of the automaker's current dealer inventory is 2010 models.

'Aggressive' ad campaign

Chrysler also will launch what it termed an “aggressive” ad campaign. “It will be aimed at driving a message on product, features and accolades into the marketplace and traffic into your showroom,” the company said in a message to dealers. “The residual effect of the campaign will also let the public know that Chrysler is alive and well.”

Bob Shuman, owner of Shuman Chrysler-Jeep in Walled Lake, Mich., praised the incentives.

“It's a very, very strong program,” Shuman said. “I think it's tremendous. We need it.”

Chrysler's sales declined 30 percent in October and 39 percent through the first 10 months of 2009 for the worst slide of any major automaker. Edmunds.com this week predicted the company was in for a similar November, forecasting a 35 percent decline.

Chrysler also told dealers they will get a new “objective-based dealer cash program” of up to $1,500 per vehicle. As of this morning, Chrysler had not yet told dealers what their objectives would be.

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Maserati GC: prices and pics

Maserati has released UK prices for the GranCabrio - the four-seater soft-top favoured by every octogenarian female! - and, as you doubtless guessed, it is Not Especially Cheap.

Prices start at just over £95,000 for the gorgeous convertible, a hefty wedge of cash that gets you a 4.7-litre V8 pumping out 434bhp. It'll haul the GC to 62mph in just 5.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 175mph, which we'd imagine will be rather lively for your rear passengers.

Your 95 grand also secures you the longest-wheelbase convertible on the market - Maserati promises that the GC provides proper seating for four adults with eight legs.

Click through Top Gear gallery and prepare to want one...