A sterling blue metallic Hyundai Genesis sitting quietly at the curb is a very non-threatening scene. You would never think of the Genesis as a car that makes noises usually reserved for pony cars. You would never think of it as a car whose 0-60 time starts with the number 5. You would never think of it as a car capable of a burn out.

Audi will finally take the wraps off its R8 Spyder at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, but a new report suggests the one major component – other than the lack of roof – will separate the R8 convertible from its fixed-roof counterpart.

Chrysler announced today that it will resume production at seven of its plants by the end of June. The automaker, newly unified with Italian automaker Fiat, kicked off the reopening of its idled plants on Monday with the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, which builds the Dodge Viper.

Porsche announced earlier this month that it was holding talks with Qatar about a possible investment deal, and it appears a deal could be hammered out by early next month. Qatar prime minister Sheik Hamad Bin Jassem Al Thani said on Wednesday the details of the deal will be made public within three weeks.

The previously unknown automaker who would take over a former Delphi assembly plant near Monroe, Louisiana, has been named as V-Vehicle Company, which says it plans to build a high-efficiency car designed by Mazda Miata designer Tom Matano. Few details have been released about the vehicle, which is believed to be powered by natural gas.

Larry Summers, the White House’s chief economic adviser, spoke out earlier this week in support of General Motors and Chrysler closing hundreds of dealers across the country. Summers warned that efforts to keep the dealers open could be detrimental to the automakers and put the repayment of the tax payers’ $70 billion in financial aid in jeopardy.

In a bid to move the C-Class a bit up-scale, Mercedes-Benz has launched a new Special Edition trim line. Available on sedan and wagon body styles, the Special Edition trim line adds up-scale touches to both the exterior and interior of the C-Class.

Doing its best impression of Rasputin, the Chrysler PT Cruiser will avoid death and live on until late 2010. Chrysler announced earlier this year that the PT Cruiser would end production at its Toluca, Mexico plant this summer, but the automaker’s recent tie-up with Fiat will see the retro hatchback live on until December 2010.

A bankruptcy judge has given Delphi the OK to tap General Motors for $250 million in funding. Delphi has been under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the last four years, but could soon emerge thanks to the support of General Motors.

Later today, Louisiana’s Economic Development Secretary plans to announce that a former supplier plant near Monroe, Louisiana, in Ouachita Parish, will be converted to a new car assembly plant set to employ about 1,400 people. Though the involved automaker is not known, reports suggest that high-efficiency gas-powered cars will be built at the plant, not electric cars.

Nissan says that its upcoming NISMO 370Z – the sportiest Z on offer – will list from $39,130 when it goes on sale shortly. It will offer just a trio of options, ranging from special floor mats ($115), a trunk mat ($95) and illuminated kick plates ($200) in addition to its race-inspired interior and exterior, specially tuned suspension, lightweight alloy wheels and, of course, an extra 18-horsepower.

Though it’s not expected to come to North America, Audi is nonetheless attempting to generate some excitement here about its upcoming A5 Sportback five-door “coupe” by releasing a pair of teasers. The A5 Sportback — which was previewed in an officially sketch from Audi — will join the growing segment of four-door coupes.

The Porsche name was once reserved for top-tier sports car, but the German automaker is reportedly considering a move down-scale to combat slumping sales and growing debt. Porsche’s new entry-level model could be based on the current Boxster, or possibly even the Volkswagen BlueSport Concept.

The term ‘performance bargain’ can be applied to any model in the Chevrolet Corvette range, but perhaps is most fitting when discussing the mighty ZR1. With 638 horsepower on tap and a Nurburgring lap time of 7 minutes 22 seconds, no European sports car on this side of $200,000 can even come close to matching the ZR1’s performance. However, GM will stretch the term ‘bargain’ a little farther this year, with the 2010 Corvette ZR1 expected to see a price bump.

General Motors has shaken up its management team over the last few months, but GM CEO Fritz Henderson says several more key changes are on the way. Henderson revealed on Tuesday that the Michigan automaker plans to reduce its global management team by 34 percent by year’s end.

President Obama’s auto task force has denied a request from U.S. parts suppliers for up to $10 billion in loan guarantees. U.S.-based suppliers were seeking between $8 billion and $10 billion to ensure uninterrupted production once Chrysler and General Motors fully emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Though they operate at opposite ends of the BMW Group spectrum, Rolls-Royce and Mini could be collaborating on a new special edition Mini Cooper, if reports out of the United Kingdom are to be believed. With Rolls-Royce sales down due to the recession, parent company BMW is looking for way to spread some of the automaker’s luxury touches across the lineup.

Word broke on Monday that Jaguar was readying a range-extending hybrid electric vehicle system for its forthcoming XE roadster, but a Jaguar official has confirmed that a Chevrolet Volt-esque system will be available in the company’s next-generation XJ sedan.

Although the Ford Mustang was finally updated from its circa-1979 Fox platform in 2005, America’s favorite muscle car remained quite dated in the powertrain department. Many thought the 2010 refresh would address this problem, but the new Mustang still receives its motivation from either a 4.6L V8 or 4.0L V6.

General Motors’ Orion, Michigan plant could be the frontrunner to build the automaker’s forthcoming U.S.-made small car as Orion Township has pledged $44 million towards the effort. GM announced earlier this month that its next-generation small car would be built in Michigan, Wisconsin or Tennessee.