Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne recently stated that they would be revealing their 5-year strategy plan in November, but as usual, things are leaking out before the deadline.

I usually dont take these leaked “reports” as anything serious because they are usually fabricated from certain “un-named sources” by some newspaper journalist that essentially went online and read rumors from down-the-line employee’s.  This one holds water though, to a degree.

At the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, during an interview, CEO Sergio Marchionne was yelled to by a reporter: “You have nothing in the pipeline” (product).  Sergio balked back: “Says who!?  Wait until November!”.

So I think its a pretty solid bet that they will unveil plans to have the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Patriot, Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan face lifted and updated by 2011, as the “report” says.

It also includes information that suggests the PT cruiser will be completely re-done, although seeing that by 2011 would be extremely difficult, even it was a re-skinned Fiat 500 that is supposed to share the line with it in Mexico around the same time.

It also makes sense, because all Chrysler Group really needs is product to bring themselves out of the rut they have found themselves in after being mis-managed by Daimler and slashed up by Cerberus in an attempt to save their investment.

Actual reports coming out now state that there were entire departments carved out of Chrysler by Cerberus and that Sergio is looking to hire back X-employee’s on a contract basis.  Regardless what happens in November, expect the official report to elaborate more on these very subjects.

Refreshed Calibers,Patriots and Vans sharing the showrooms with the new 2011 Charger, 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee is a pretty good start and to happen at the same time will help this company immensely.

German tuning firm BRABUS has been toying with smart fortwo’s for many years and even supplies a factory offering that debuted in North America this year.

Although the 2009 BRABUS that we see on the roads here is turbo-less compared to the Euro versions, the car still does handle, shift and appear light years better than a comparable pure or passion offering.  smart loving BRABUS fans even have the option of buying an even higher-zoot version of the car directly from them, with the “Ultimate 112″ being the most recent top dog version.

Not anymore.

BRABUS just recently unveiled this electric version that uses batteries from Daimler partner Tesla, and although it only has 82 horsepower, it packs an unreal 207 lb-ft of torque.

Aside from the yellow stitched, white leather interior that flows into a newly designed center console that houses a charge monitor; the wheels have turned aerodynamic via unnoticeable plexiglas covers and the wider skirt package looks great, that BRABUS says helps the car flow through the air.

BRABUS is also one step ahead of the looming regulations on silent cars in the name of keeping deaf pedestrians safe, as they added a sound generator that includes a V8 race-car soundtrack !

The on again-off again top Camaro model seems to be headed for production once again after getting the axe right before GM’s Chapter 11 filing.

Ed Welburn, GM’s design Chief has stated in a report that the car is indeed headed for production and that its Z28 unique bodywork has recently been completed.  The car will use a specific raised hood to conceal the same supercharged 6.2L V8 that see’s duty in the Corvette ZR1 and Caddy CTS-V.

While the engine makes over 600 horsepower in the Vette ZR1, this version will more than likely be the same one that is used in the Cadillac, that makes 556 HP.  Other add-ons will be specific Z28 wheels, body work and the choice of a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Expect to see the Z28 arrive by late 2010

From the “no big surprise” department, word has leaked out of Chrysler that the dismal selling XK Jeep Commander will be finished after its 2010 model run.

Apparently it was closely contested that after 2010 it would be refreshed and sent back out until 2016, but such is not the case anymore.

The seven passenger Jeep failed to wow buyers and with the next generation Dodge Durango reported to seat 7 people, continuing on with more than one 7-seater under the corporate umbrella would be redundant and costly.

Leno with his shows version of the Stig, Justin Bell.

As many Top Gear fans already know, Jay Leno was Clarksons recent guest on the series finale of their 13th season.  There he was required to do a lap on the Top Gear track which is called “The Star in the reasonably priced car” and although Leno was only a mid-pack finisher when it came to his lap time, he obviously likened the idea enough to make it a segment on his own brand new show.

Called the “Green Car Challenge”, certain guests on the Jay Leno Show will be required to make 2 laps around the track which is constructed in the parking lot of where the show is taped.

The first lap consists of just making a clean lap but the second lap consists of streamers being popped at the car and a cardboard cut out of Al Gore flying out at you; in which you are docked 1 second of ET if you hit.

The Green car challenge made its debut on Friday night with Drew Barrymore taking the wheel and posting the first 54:36 second lap time on the score board, which looks very similar to Top Gears power board.

The 2 Focuses that were provided by Ford started life as German-built Focus ST’s that have been outfitted with roll cages, Recaro seats and 5-point harnesses.

The guests will be trained by British racecar driver Justin Bell, who won the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GT2 class and the 1997 F.I.A. GT2 World Championship.

When Jay was asked about the similarities between his challenge and Top Gears;

“‘Top Gear’ is one of my favorite shows,” Mr. Leno said. “We had a good time.” He says his show’s segment is a little different from “Top Gear” because it uses an electric car to highlight environmental awareness.

Watch for Tom Cruise and Rush Limbaugh to make their laps soon.