ON THE TABLE

February 15, 2012

 Saturday Night Live. The only marginally and intermittently funny NBC stalwart came up with parodies of Chrysler's Super Bowl ad last Saturday night, and it was worth the effort. AdAge has assembled SNL's satiric body blows here.

 60 Minutes. Editor-in-Chief's Note: The canonization of The Great Sergio continues, as the CBS news magazine will feature the Chrysler CEO in a segment reported by Steve Kroft in March or April. If you think the slavish devotion by the media directed toward The Opportunist of the Century will wane anytime soon, think again. Trust me, this is just getting started, folks. And sainthood can't be far behind. - PMD

Kia. Rear-Wheel-Drive is on the agenda at the other half of the Hyundai-Kia conglomerate as Kia will get their hands on Hyundai's top-shelf RWD architecture currently underpinning the Equus. Expect a performance-oriented sedan from the get-go as Kia continues to differentiate itself from its corporate sibling. More RWD? it's a beautiful thing.

Target, Chipotle. Editor-in-Chief's Note: From the "How It's Done" File comes two spots that appeared on the Grammy Awards that were particularly inventive, creative, stunning visually and memorable for their respective brands. The first one, "Color Changes Everything" was for Target and it was in keeping with their artistic presentations that have captivated for so long. The second was a completely unexpected 2-minute spot for Chipotle restaurants called "Back to the Start" featuring Willie Nelson covering Coldplay's "The Scientist." Mesmerizing in every sense of the word, it was the advertising star on the Grammy Awards broadcast. Take a look. - PMD

Jianghuai Automobile Co., the Chinese Government. The Shanghai-based rip-off enterprise masquerading as a car company has come up with something called the JAC 4R3 pickup truck, which is to be displayed at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in April. The problem is that it's a dead-nuts copy of the Ford F-150, right down to the big honking blue oval on the grille (minus the Ford script on it). Ford is justifiably pissed-off, while the Chinese government has turned its usual blind eye to the controversy, which is consistent with their arrogant view of the world and what they consider to be their place in it, and it promises to be one big fat mess. The largest country in the world is sanctioning a policy of orchestrated trade infringement and ignoring copyright laws and doing so whenever the hell they want to do it. Trust us, this is going nowhere good.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Check out a couple of new videos for the 2013 Corvette 427 convertible here and here. - PMD

Editor-in-Chief's Note: As has been previously announced, Porsche is going to create a new crossover/SUV using the Audi Q5 vehicle architecture as a beginning point. Called the Macan (the previous code name for it was Cajun), the "baby Cayenne" will be built starting in the fall of 2013, but it isn't expected to reach the U.S. until the spring of 2014. You can expect a very aggressive vehicle dynamic package for this new crossover, as Porsche is determined to make the Macan very much deserving of the company's famous crest. See a teaser video of the Porsche Macan here. - PMD

(BMW)
The all-new 2012 BMW M6 will again be offered as a 4-seat Coupe and Convertible in the U.S. The M6 Convertible gets here first next June. The M6 Coupe will arrive in late Summer as a 2013 model. U.S. Pricing, technical specification, EPA mileage ratings, standard and optional equipment will be announced closer to the on-sale date. The 4.4-liter V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo Technology in the M6 develops a peak output of 560 hp (412 kW) at 5,750 – 7,000 rpm, while its maximum torque of 500 lb-ft (680 Nm) is on tap between 1,500 and 5,750 rpm.

(Audi)
Audi has introduced the TT RS plus in both Coupé and Roadster versions. Its turbocharged direct-injected 2.5-liter TFSI engine delivers 15 kW (20 hp) more power than the previously released TT RS. It produces 465 Nm (342.97 lb-ft) of torque, 15 Nm (11.06 lb-ft) more than the original version. The Coupé with S tronic does 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.1 seconds (with manual gearbox: 4.3 seconds). The Roadster does it in 4.2 seconds (with manual gearbox: 4.4 seconds). Top speed is limited to 280 km/h (173.98 mph) for all versions of the car. The Coupé with S tronic uses an average of just 8.5 liters of fuel per 100 km (27.67 US mpg); the Roadster uses 8.6 liters per 100 km (27.35 US mpg).

(Audi)
A cult classic from Audi is making a comeback. Audi says that, "The third-generation RS 4 Avant combines potent performance with a high level of everyday practicality." The RS 4 Avant's 4.2-liter V8 produces 331 kW (450 hp) and it features - of course - quattro permanent all-wheel drive and a seven-speed S tronic gearbox to transfer that power to the road. The Audi RS 4 Avant uses the same high-revving, normally aspirated V8 engine that powers the RS 5 Coupe. That 4,163 cc V8 produces 331 kW (450 hp) at 8,250 rpm for a specific output of 108.1 hp per liter and its maximum torque of 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft) is available from 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. The RS 4 Avant lunges from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.7 seconds on its way to a governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). This can be increased to 280 km/h (173.98 mph) upon request. Yes, please.

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