is cars are better in summer!

Not only have I starred in several TV shows and one kick-ass movie, I've now bought a popular car blog (and with it, a devoted writer group!).

So, starting tomorrow, we'll redirect the traffic from this site over to my main site. The issue initially was "Will people who are looking for car information want information on me, Summer Glau?" After looking in the mirror, I decided yes. I'm so shiny! Not only that, but if they were looking for car information, they were so very disappointed. Unless there were links to pics of me, then they might have been somewhat happy.

Anyway, I like dancing, sci-fi and fans devoted solely to me. The new site will require pop-ups, registration and an HTML-only newsletter. Once we collect your IP address, we'll sign you up automatically. If any of this causes you trouble, remember: I can kill you with my brain.

Sweetly,
RiverSummer

volvo

So we're reading the blokes at autoblog who wrote: Sinking Swede? Ford devalues Volvo. First of all, way to hurt Volvo's feelings. Leave it to an airplane dude to be so cold and callous (but, nice hair). Second, eh, we'd devalue them, too.

So, what we're getting at is -- a new Friday game! That's right. This new game is What Vehicle is (manufacturer) Going To Kill Off Next?

Up this week (in alphabetical order): Volvo

Volvo's Lineup (with sales for 2007):

S40: 18,215 -26.3%
S60: 18,521 -28.2%
S80: 12,354 125.%
V50: 2,856 -31.2%
V70: 3,769 -32.7%
XC70: 12,630 -3.9%
XC90: 31,358 -5.7%
C30: 2,103 100%
C70: 4,548 15.4%

So, who is in the running? Well, maybe the S40, S60, V50 and V70. Let's boot out the V70 because it's going to be all new for 2008 (the current V70 was very long in the tooth... but the new V70 gets frakkin' horrible gas mileage... holy cow must Volvo engineers be feeling mighty low at this point). So, we have the S40, S60 and V50. Let's also boot the S60 because Volvo is rumored to be making the XC60, so maybe that means an upgrade for the regular S60 as well.

So now we're down to the wee S40/V50. We recall reading Volvo is interested in a 5-door version of the C30 (which is a horrible mistake), we think the next Volvo to get the axe will be: V50.

Long live the Volvo V50.

Magna Goes For Mini SUV

MINI has been in the news lately with regards to the forthcoming Clubman model, the much awaited MINI Cooper wagon. Much like the internationally-inspired wagon concepts, the new Clubman will feature a rear-hinged access (suicide) door plus an extended wheelbase for much-needed extra interior room. Undisguised interior and exterior spy shots have already made their way onto the internet and it’s common knowledge that the car will be debuting this September in Frankfurt. But what’s also got MINI in the news is word regarding a forthcoming compact sport utility vehicle, filling in the niche that smart didn’t when the formore compact SUV was canned.