Nutson's Nuggets: Last Week's (Aug 29-Sept 2) Automotive Factoids - In Case You Were Not Paying Attention

Each week Larry Nutson, The Auto Channel Chicago Bureau Chief will give you last weeks automotive news highlights you may have missed, or you can catch up on the past 15 years of automotive news HERE in our news archive.

* BMW stopped offering 4-cylinder engines in 1999, when gasoline cost $1.14 a gallon in the US. Facing higher fuel economy fleet average requirements, BMW says it will offer a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in its Z4 roadster and 5-series mid-sized sedans this fall. More models may follow.

* Experian Automotive says new-vehicle buyers with weaker credit scores are having an easier time getting credit. Let the shopping begin.

* Ford thinks that drivers who rent by the hour from Zipcar just might be a source of future sales. Ford and Zipcar announced a partnership where Ford will supply 1,000 Focus and Escape vehicles to 250 college campus locations for student short-term rental.

* The new face and future look of Ford brand was revealed in the Ford Evos Concept, an edgy design featuring a plug-in hybrid with four gullwing doors. Many of the design cues will be seen on future production cars. The Evos will make its global debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Don't expect the gull wing doors but some elements will be seen on the redesigned Ford Fusion coming in January. The Evos represents the direction the Ford brand's global design will take over the next five years, said J Mays, Ford group vice president in charge of design and chief creative officer.

* Ferrari will debut the 458 Spider at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The 458 Spider is the world’s first mid-rear engined berlinetta equipped with a retractable hard top.

* Mazda's new CX-5 compact crossover will arrive in the United States next year. The CX-5 is more than 5 inches shorter than the CX-7, at just under 179 inches. The CX-5 should be priced around $20,000. A diesel engine is expected for the 2014 model year.

* Honda revealed the redesigned 2012 Pilot which retains its boxy SUV shape with a refined exterior and interior and more features. The eight-seater gets improved highway fuel economy from its 250HP V6, now at 25 mpg. An increase of 2 mpg making it the most fuel efficient 8-seater.

* BMW will recall 241,000 3-Series cars in the U.S. because of a rear-light defect. The recall is for the 2002-2005 model years of the 325i, 325xi, 330i and 330xi. Lights including tail, brake and turn signals may only work intermittently on the cars.

* Volvo and Siemens AG said they plan a partnership to develop electric vehicles and aim to start testing the autos by the end of this year. Siemens is Europe's largest engineering company and will develop electric motors and charging systems to try out in about 200 Volvo electric cars by late 2012.

* Ford announced that the new 2.0-liter EcoBoost high-effeciency engine will be added to the Explorer and Edge lines. With turbocharging, direct injection and other technologies these smaller engines can achieve as much as 30 mpg without sacrificing drivablility.

* Saab continues to linger on the edge of bankruptcy while awaiting an infusion of capitol from undisclosed Chinese investors. Saab Chairman, Victor Muller, said they will consider all options to survive including reorganization.

* The National Motorists Association released this week a comprehensive list of the worst speed traps in the US and Canada. The top two were Plymouth, MI (suburban Detroit along I-275) and Winsor, Ontario, right across the river from Detroit. See the whole list at www.motorists.org.

* Chrysler is poised to become the first US automaker, and the first outside the premium class, to offer 8-speed automatic transmissions. They also have an even more sophisticated , and effecient, 9-speeds trans under development.

* Hurry to your Toyota dealer if you're anxious to get ahold of a new generation Camry. Toyota has moved ahead by a couple of weeks the launch date for their bread-and-butter sedan to mid September.