First, in case you haven't heard, General Motors emerged from bankruptcy on Friday, leaner, meaner, and 60% owned by us taxpayers. And if that wasn't enough, Bob Lutz has once again come out of retirement. According to New GM, Mr. Lutz will serve as "vice chairman responsible for all creative elements of products and customer relationships". This pleases me to no end. Not only was "Maximum Bob" the driving force behind some of GM's better products, but he's also a journalist's dream, as he has a delightful tendency to speak his mind. From what I know of the man, I gather that deep down he's not too happy with any sort of government intervention, so whatever happens in the next few months, it's bound to be entertaining. He's already brought some good news: Despite corporate denials, Mr. Lutz told Automobile Magazine that the Pontiac G8 will return as the next Chevy Caprice. Go, Bob, go!

In other news: Jaguar has released photos of the 2010 XJ. Now, I have to warn you, if you're a die-hard Jaguar fan, you might want to sit down. The new XJ has done away with the classic Jaguar sedan saloon shape for a much more XF-like silhouette. It's great from the front, though the rear view, IMHO, leaves a bit to be desired... I couldn't help that the media site had several pix of the new Jag from the front, but few from the rear. Hmm. Anyway, more photos of and details about the car in my 2010 Jaguar XJ photo gallery.

Comments on the new GM or the new Jag? You know what to do! -- Aaron Gold

Photos © General Motors, Jaguar

I spent today getting my butt into gear with the latest What's New for 2010 updates. I'll be adding more manufacturers in the next couple-few days, but in the mean time, I've updated the following entries:

• Audi: New nav system for A3, R8, TT
• Bentley: Sketchy details on the upcoming Arnage replacement
• BMW: 2011 X1 and further expansion of the 7-series lineup, including M Sport packages
• Buick: New four-cylinder base engine announced for the upcoming LaCrosse
• Honda: Accord Crosstour!!
• Hyundai: Updated Accent and an expanded model lineup for the Elantra Touring
• Jaguar: XF Supercharged (not to be confused with the XFR) and the first tiny details about the 2010 XJ (with more info to be released later today)

As always, I've divided all the info into "confirmed" and "rumored" so you'll know what's definitely coming and what is still just speculation. You can also check out the full make-by-make guide (so far) or my ever-expanding photo gallery of new and redesigned 2010 cars. More coming soon! -- Aaron Gold

I've always wanted to add book reviews to the Cars site, but I've just never gotten around to it. And then, a few weeks back, a PR person contacted me about reviewing Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and their Battle for Speed and Glory at LeMans.

I'm an avid book junkie, and while cars are my second-favorite subject matter -- aviation is first, in case you were wondering -- I'm not a huge race fan. Nevertheless, I figured I'd give Go Like Hell a try -- if for no other reason than to get my book review section started.

Go Like Hell turned out to be one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a while. It wasn't anything like the dry, technically-oriented history I was expecting. Go Like Hell reads like a work of fiction -- a good work of fiction -- and it's all the better because the story is true. The book gives the reader a fascinating insight into the car industry at a time when two of the world's most influential car companies operated at the whim of the individual men who ran them.

And so I get to start off my book review section with a book I really enjoyed. Check out my review of Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and their Battle for Speed and Glory at LeMans. Go Like Hell is currently available in hardback and lists for $26.00, but you can find better prices if you shop online. -- Aaron Gold

General Motors is likely to emerge from bankruptcy this week, but one aspect of "Old GM" that won't make it to "New GM" is New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., or NUMMI, the California-based joint manufacturing partnership between Toyota and GM -- and that means the one of my favorite GM cars is going away as well. Read more...