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Europeans ask Chevy to bring Volt back to Europe

A group of French fans is asking for a jolt of support from General Motors to get the 2016 Chevrolet Volt across the pond. The Association Amperistes et Amis des Vehicules Rechargeables is running a Change.org petition that currently has 383 signatures out of a goal of 500. While the attempt is admirable, it's probably going to take a lot more than several hundred people for the model to make a return to the continent after the poor showing of the Opel Ampera – first-gen Volt's European cousin. The group's major argument for bringing a version of the second-gen Volt to Europe is that consumers need "an intermediate choice between expensive or range-limited pure electric cars and plug-in hybrids with a miserable electric range." Furthermore, such a vehicle would prod the competition to produce similarly efficient electrified models. They also lavish praise on the abilities of the Ampera for its long EV driving range. The supporters aren't entirely kind to GM in the petition, though, and claim the company excluded the original car from marketing efforts there. The Ampera actually enjoyed a strong European launch with more orders than initially expected and briefly topped the best-sellers list among EVs there. It was even named 2012 European Car of the Year. Those halcyon days didn't last long, and by 2014 sales fell off to a trickle. The waning reception caused GM's decision not to introduce a version of the new 2016 Volt there or in Australia. Related Video:

Jay Leno gets pulled over while roaring in a Corvette Z06 convertible

No one is above the law, even if that person is a certain silver-haired auto enthusiast with a popular weekly video series about the cars in his garage. This week, Jay Leno experiences the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z06, but he also gets to have a meeting with some of California's Finest immediately after a high-speed blast. As opposed to the full-bore Z06 coupe with the seven-speed manual, Leno gets behind the wheel of the slightly heavier convertible version with the eight-speed auto. Being a droptop doesn't bother him too much, but Leno makes it obvious he wishes that he could be shifting for himself. Even if the auto is technically quicker, Leno says that swapping gears gives him something to do while driving. Of course, one of the major advantages of the convertible is the ability to listen to the Z06's thumping V8 unimpeded. With 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque from 6.2-liters of supercharged muscle, it already puts down impressive numbers, but the sound might just be the best part of all. Around town, the 'Vette is quiet enough to easily blend in with the rest of traffic. However, tip the throttle down and the valves in the exhaust open up to turn the engine into roaring monster. Be careful where you make this thing howl, though, because it's pretty easy for the police to take notice. The host finds that out the hard way in this week's episode of Jay Leno's Garage. Related Gallery 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible View 18 Photos News Source: Jay Leno's Garage via YouTube Celebrities Chevrolet Coupe Performance Videos Jay Lenos Garage chevy corvette stingray chevy corvette z06

Suzuki recalls 2 million cars globally

Suzuki is recalling two million vehicles across the globe, including a number of Chevrolet Cruze sedans that it builds for General Motors, because the ignition switches may begin to smoke. None of the Cruzes being recalled were sold in the US, though. This recall is limited to the Japanese, European and Australian markets. In Suzuki's home market, 1,873,000 vehicles are being recalled, including the Cruze and a number kei cars built for Mazda (the Carol and AZ-Wagon), as well as the automaker's own Alto, Wagon R and Swift. Affected vehicles were built between 1998 and 2009. The remaining 133,000 vehicles include Cruzes and other Suzuki products sold in Europe and Australia. There have been no reports of injuries or accidents due to the 67 reported incidents, all of which come from the Japanese market, a Suzuki spokesperson told Automotive News. Related Video: