Pontiac Firebird in latest Generation Gap scrap

Generation Gap is mining the Lingenfelter collection again this week to compare two very different interpretations of the Pontiac Firebird. An original 1968 example goes toe-to-toe with a 2010 Lingenfelter Trans Am to see whether the old man or the modern re-imagining takes the crown. Being from the Lingenfelter collection, both cars are absolutely immaculate. The '68 packs a Pontiac 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) V8 with a claimed 320 horsepower and some classic, muscular style with a hood-mounted tach. Plus, it's painted in an understated shade of green that you don't usually see. In the other corner is Lingenfelter's pumped-up take on the classic shape based on the modern Camaro, and this is just one of six concept versions ever made. It wears an eye-catching, vintage-inspired livery of blue with a white stripe package. Under its shaker hood is a 455-cubic-inch (7.5-liter) V8 with a reported 655 hp and 610 pound-feet of torque. Watch the hosts drive them both in the video to see which one you'd choose. Both choices certainly have their advantages.

Volkswagen charges up new Passat GTE for the trip to Paris

We all know that the letters GT stand for Gran Turismo, but tacking on another letter can evoke a different meaning altogether. GTO for Ferraris (or Pontiacs), GT-R for Nissan supercars, GTA for high-performance Alfa Romeos (or car-theft video games, or metropolitan Toronto)... The list goes on and on, but few are as familiar with the idea as Volkswagen, which uses the letters GTI for hot hatches, GTD for their diesel counterparts, and most recently, GTE for plug-in hybrids. VW introduced the nomenclature with the Golf GTE earlier this year, and is now following up with the Passat GTE you see here. It packs a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.4-liter turbo four producing 154 horsepower and an electric motor good for another 114 hp, channeled to the front wheels through a six-speed DSG for a combined output of 215 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque. In electric-only mode, it'll reach 80 mph and take you as far as 31 miles. That's more juice than the Golf GTE, but in the larger Passat delivers similar performance: 0-62 in under eight seconds and a top speed in excess of 136 miles per hour. In electric-only mode, it'll reach 80 mph and take you as far as 31 miles. But with both motors running, and both the 13-gallon fuel tank and the lithium-ion battery topped off, it'll travel up to 1,000 kilometers. That's the equivalent of 622 miles - more than the Golf GTE and more than enough to send the plug-in Passat from London to its debut in Paris and back again (or all the way from Detroit to New York) all without stopping at a single charging or gas station along the way. Set to launch in the second half of next year, the Passat GTE will be available in both sedan and wagon forms. But since this is based on the European model, we're not holding our breath for its transatlantic voyage to North American showrooms. Hypermilers will just have to hope that VW will offer a model with a similar system Stateside in the near future.

Ducati Scrambler finally makes its official debut

After months of teasing, Ducati is finally premiering the 2015 Scrambler at the Intermot 2014 motorcycle show in Cologne, Germany, but this reinterpreted retro bike doesn't actually hit the streets until January of 2015, so there's still some waiting to do. It will be offered in four trims that are each slightly tweaked to appeal to those looking for vintage style, modern usability or a mix of both. Ducati Scrambler IconThe latest Scrambler harkens back to the simple, single-cylinder Ducati models of the '60s and '70s, before the brand absolutely cemented its focus on performance. Unlike a superbike, this is supposed to be very easy to ride with wide handle bars, a long seat and upright riding position. The company calls the new design "post-heritage" because it marries the original shape with modern execution. The styling features an exposed, trellis frame and intricately bundled exhaust pipes from Ducati's current range. However, the single big headlight (now LED powered) and teardrop fuel tank scream old-school. Depending on how buyers want that styling, there are four trims to choose from. Icon is the basic layout mixing old and new cues. Urban Enduro goes for a dirt bike look with a big front fender over the tire. The Full Throttle is simple and unadorned, and the Classic goes fully towards the vintage. Power for all of them comes from a fuel-injected, 803cc, oil- and air-cooled L-twin engine with two valves per cylinder rated at 74 horsepower and 50 pound-feet of torque. That's linked up to a six-speed gearbox and a chain drives the rear wheel. The whole bike weighs in at 375 pounds dry or 410 pounds with fluids and fuel. ABS is standard. The Icon is launching first in January in red for $8,495 in the US (add an extra $100 for yellow). The Full Throttle, Urban Enduro and Classic trims will all go on sale later for $9,995. Scroll down to read the full release about the latest Ducati, and check out the gallery to see all of the models, including the complete specs.

Aston Martin finally drops the veil on its new Lagonda sedan

Aston Martin has finally released the floodgates, delivering official images of the all-new Lagonda sedan, the company's latest expression of its long-serving VH architecture and 6.0-liter V12. Set for an extremely limited production, the hand-built Lagonda's William Towns-inspired, carbon-fiber exterior has been a point of conversation since the new sedan first crept in front of a camera's lens some four months ago. While that evolved exterior isn't exactly new, we are getting our very first look at the Lagonda's beautifully crafted cabin. Aston Martin's Q branch had a big hand in the cabin work, adding wide swaths of leather and elaborate hand-stitching to the Rapide-based interior. Unlike the Rapide, though, those rear thrones look considerably more accommodating, particularly in regards to rear headroom. From a performance perspective, we have it on good authority that the Lagonda is currently exceeding 175 miles per hour in testing and that this first production model weighs no more than the Rapide, which we're guessing is thanks to the aforementioned carbon-fiber body. The first deliveries of the Lagonda are slated to begin during the first quarter of 2015. We're hoping we'll have much more info as that date approaches. Until then, we have ten images of the new Lagonda, several of which feature the beautiful, Q-spec interior. Have a look and then head down to Comments and let us know what you think.