Okay, so maybe secession is too strong a word. Still, buying a new car in California in the coming years may mean less horsepower and more bureaucratic red tape [Ed Note: Though the death of fun cars has been predicted ever other year for the past 3.5 decades, and new cars are more potent than ever]. Today the EPA granted California complete control over emissions standards for new cars and trucks beginning with this model year. Apparently, due to the crazy amount of pollution in California (and I would know as I live 20 min outside Downtown LA) California feels, nay, felt that it needed more stringent pollution control and thus petitioned the EPA. After originally rejecting California’s bid for independent regulation in March of last year, the EPA reconsidered as per a request made by President Obama in January. I am not sure how the state plans to cut down on emissions, be it bigger catalytic converters or more restrictive air filters but one group of new vehicles is going to be hit hard: new diesels. Stay tuned on this issue as I am sure more issues will arise. [Source: EPA]

Now might be the perfect time to pick up that Sonata you’ve been thinking about. If you buy a Hyundai before August 31st you will be able to buy gas at $1.49 for an entire year/12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Just in time for the annual summer gas gouging! It also comes with Hyundai’s 10 year/100,000 mile warranty and their Hyundai Assurance, which will help you make payments on your car if you lose your source of income while still paying off your vehicle. Hit the jump for more info. Read More >>

Don’t you just love the little things? When I drive a new car it always seems that the small items either delight or infuriate me. I can (sometimes) forgive a car’s unflattering body lines if something else about the ride is innovative or just downright awesome. Every so often you get little gifts, like the Ford Fiesta. I’m not a huge fan of the exterior, but its other potential characteristics — Direct Injection + Turbocharging! — are seriously making me reconsider my personal yardstick, the VW GTI. I should point out that both the Fiesta and GTI were designed in Europe. Hit the jump for a car that I wish was offered in the good ole’ US of A — or at least shamelessly copied.

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How do you re-invigorate a brand that Ford’s going to dump sooner than later? Hand it a fatty government contract and strut your fuel efficient models down the asphalt cat walk. It seems the Swedes have embraced Volvo’s soon to be new found independence and are moving the brand from the bench to the first string. When Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt takes the EU Presidency on July 1st, Volvo will become the official make of the new government. Visiting diplomats and EU officers will be riding in comfort and style in one of Volvo’s new eco-friendly cars (logistics courtesy of Hertz), putting front and center the Swedish desire to make government green. Thomas Andersson, President of Volvo Personbilar Sverige AB adds:

We will be happy to talk about and show our seven DRIVe models, several of which are class-leading when it comes to low carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption. Sweden’s EU presidency is a golden opportunity to showcase our green model range.

Looks like leadership by example — kudos to Sweden. [Source: AutoEvolution]

The new for 2010 BMW 7-Series will feature many advancements over the just introduced last year car. The BMW 740d (pictured above) will sport an inline 6-cylinder diesel engine that will be paired to BMW’s TwinPower Turbo Technology (i.e. twin-turbos) and is good for 306 hp. The BMW 730d is currently the world’s lowest-emission luxury sedan (in its class) and will have even better fuel economy and lower carbon emissions. On the other end of the spectrum, the BMW 760i and 760Li will continue to feature monstrous, twin-turbo 12-cylinder engines good for 537 hp and 553 ft-lb of torque. BMW will also offer Intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive on the twin-turbo V8 750i and 750Li as well as a M Sports Package. Check out the full press release after the jump. [Source: BMW Group PressClub Global]

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Check out this great Craigslist find! This 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier with numerous custom ammenities can be all yours for the amazing price of $6,448! What killer, street king options do you get with the purchase? How about a 3 piece body kit, ram air hood (yeah, right), rear spoiler, carbon fiber dash, shifter knob and steering cover! The carbon fiber goes even further cause the front and rear speaker covers are also made of the spectacular material. Craptacular, isn’t it? Stunningly so.

In an announcement today, GM said that it would no longer continue a joint venture with Toyota at the Nummi Plant (New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.) located in Fremont, California. Under current production orders, the facility produces the Pontiac Vibe as well as the Toyota Corolla and Tacoma. Since GM is killing Pontiac, the partnership is not a viable one for the automaker, especially as the company traverses the fields of bankruptcy and seeks to shed as many burdensome assets as possible. A Toyota spokesman cited Toyota’s disappointment upon hearing the news as Toyota is currently operating in the red for the first time since the company was founded over 70 years ago. This decision marks the end of a near quarter century long partnership between GM and Pontiac. Geo Prizm, we hardly knew yee! Or is that knew thee? [Source: AP]

Last week Tesla Motors opened its first overseas Store (”Store” is what Tesla calls it’s dealership/showroom), which is located in the Knightsbridge district in London. Tesla’s facilities will be close to Heathrow Airport and the Harrods department store and will cover 5,000 square feet. It will be catered towards current and future Tesla owners, with free parking and vehicle charging. Hit the jump for more info.

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Owners of the Aston Martin DB9 or Vantage that are sick and tired of the hassle of parking a big sports car in the city will soon have a solution that doesn’t involve driving a Smart car. Aston Martin has released pictures and information on their Cygnet Concept Car, which is a smaller (and cheaper) city car based on the Toyota iQ. Of course, it will be much more upscale than the peasant base car, but environmental friendliness and ease of parking will still be carried over to the British version.  Hit the jump for more!

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By the time I get through reading the various companies that rank the best vehicles for each year, I feel like my head is going to explode. That being said, the boys over at Strategic Vision sure seemed to make things easier on me for the batch of 2009 vehicles they evaluated, just read their criteria for ranking and you too will see. And although I don’t necessarily agree with every pick, I was pleasantly surprised to find that some unexpected vehicles took top honors. Hit the jump.

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