FACT CHECK (WITH PICS) OF THE NEW MASERATI GRANCABRIO

It has been pointed out that we ought not believe everything we read. They say it's important to analyse the text before accepting it as truth. Considering the skeptical nature of most automotive critics, it won't surprise you to discover that The Good Car Guy is labelling Maserati's latest profound statement as false.

Says Fiat-controlled Maserati, in regards to their latest product, the GranCabrio: "The Maserati GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7 litre V8, 438 bhp engine and is the convertible with the longest wheelbase on the market."

Hmm, wait one second. "The market" can mean just about anything anybody wants it to, but if it includes every production car, the length between the GranTurismo's wheelhubs must grow by an astonishing 15 inches to accomodate four seats under the soft top of the GranCabrio to overtake the wheelbase of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead. Another 20 inch stretch would be required to overtake the pseudo-convertible of Maybach's, the Landaulet.

Does the new Maserati GranCabrio feature the longest wheelbase of any convertible on the market? No. But it's long, low, and lean physique does make for a beautiful vehicle. Check the pics for proof and have a look at other Galleries by clicking here.

GALLERY - NOBLE M600 - 13 PICTURES

Founded in 1999 as yet another British answer to Porsche, Lee Noble's Noble Automotive Ltd. (since sold by Mr. Noble) has been mildly successful building cars in the UK and South Africa and marketing their cars around the world as exclusive ultra-sporting and refined sub-supercars. There's your 40+ word introduction. Here's today's story.

Noble has finally released pictures of the production M600. Clean lines married with a dramatic profile make for a typical Nobleesque appearance. Also unique is the fashion with which Noble Automotive releases details for their vehicles. (See succinct press release below the Gallery.) The M600 will be ridiculously quick in straight lines as well as around corners and on real world roads. Pricing will inevitably be a notch or three above what one would expect but will unquestionably be worth it for the few who take Noble up on their offer.

The 650bhp Noble M600, for those who love to drive. Designed and engineered with a purity that rewards driver skill, the Noble M600 neither dictates or hinders with unnecessary Computer assistance. The Noble M600 puts you back in the drivers seat.

CAMARO MUSTANG CHALLENGER COMPARISON VIDEOS

In the four videos you're about to watch, Motor Trend, Car & Driver, Consumer Reports, Edmunds' Inside Line, and AutoWeek each compare the Chevrolet Camaro with the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger. Although it's tempting to give away the outcome of each (they don't all agree), it's far more enjoyable for the viewer to wait for it and enjoy disagreeing with the editors. Just don't disagree with all five results. That makes you look.... bellicose.

GALLERY - PEUGEOT RCZ - 43 PICTURES

Although GoodCarBadCar.net isn't an active follower of Peugeot, The Good Car Guy always keeps his eye on the happenings in France. Lately, that's involved a lot of wide-mouthed Mazda 3-like grimaces paired with driving dynamics that weren't/aren't up to Peugeot's normally high standards. One look at this RCZ and any North American auto scribe will feel as though Peugeot's designers know their way around pencil and paper. Or AutoCAD.

The 308 RC Z concept Peugeot from Frankfurt's 2007 auto show was shocking and realistic at the same time. Holding true to the concept, this production car keeps the double-bubble roof. Contrasting aluminum roofrails accentuate the Audi TT similarities, bearing in mind that the overall proportions are very mid-engineesque.

Of the engine choices, high horsepower lovers must be satisifed with 200 horsepower. Another gas-powered engine with 156 horsepower will obviously save money while a 163-horsepower diesel offers a great thumping load of torque: 236 lb-ft of twist, in fact.

Moving inside, the coupe's more proletarian origins come to light. Although thoughtfully designed, this is no BMW Z4. Like the Nissan 370Z bumping up against the Porsche Boxster, the RCZ strikes the Audi TT from beneath.

With great confidence we can predict the complete absence of the Peugeot RCZ on North American roads. The world wide web's power still enables you to see 43 pictures of the Pug in the Gallery below.

GALLERY - 2011 BENTLEY MULSANNE - 7 PICTURES

1992 marked the end of Mulsanne production for Bentley Motors. 2011 will mark the Mulsanne's rebirth. True, much of the Mulsanne's architecture is still shared by the big Bentleys; those designed before Volkswagen took control of Bentley.

Immediately upon release, pictures of the new Mulsanne impressed greatly. Looking for all the world like a traditional Bentley, the new Mulsanne appears completely modern at the same time. Result.

We don't know much about the '11 Mulsanne's powertrain or technological advances. In fact, we know next-to-nothing about the '11 Bentley Mulsanne's powertrain and technological advances. It's very evident that the Mulsanne's front end is designed to be redesigned. Remaining upright, the Mulsanne maintains the aura of I-have-more-money-than-you without peering back to 1979 for inspiration.

Wildly successful in its first attempt to reinvigorate the old-style Bentleys, the only pressure on Volkswagen revolves around the greatness of the Mulsanne's interior and, naturally, torque levels.

WATCH NISSAN 370Z SYNCHRO REV MATCH TRANSMISSION EXPLANATION

Sometimes the most ingenious inventions are the most obvious, most simple, most I-probably-thought-of-that-myself-ten-years-agoesque ideas possible. Think of the Nissan 370Z's new transmission function, the Synchro Rev matching manual gearbox. Forget heel and toe: the 370Z does it for you. As your left leg depresses the clutch, Nissan's tranny is thinking ahead to the appropriate rev point for the insertion of the next gear. It never misses.

The videos below will help you better understand the wonders of Nissan's Synchro Rev transmission. On upshifts, downshifts, any kind of shift, the 370Z will make you look like Kunimitsu Takahashi.

WATCH TOYOTA VENZA VIDEO FROM EDMUNDS INSIDE LINE

Since Toyota introduced the Venza as an alternative to their flock of SUVs The Good Car Guy has been pleasantly surprised - both by Toyota's willingness to add some flair, and by the Venza's ability to make the Camry more forgettable. The Venza is quick and efficient; handsome and intriguing; Toyota-like in all the best ways.

This Edmunds.com Inside Line review is worth listening to and definitely worth watching. Getting a feel for the Venza's versatility will help anybody who's close to trading in a clunker on a new Camry. Check out the Venza too instead.