Motoramic’s Dash for Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011

What we're reading this morning:

GM builds 100 millionth small-block engine [GM] The first General Motors small-block V8 was built for the 1955 Chevrolet Corvette, churning 195 hp. The 100th million copy is a LS6 version that would have powered a Chevy Corvette ZR1, good for 638 hp while still returning 26 mpg on the highway. Like showing off grandpa's hammer that's had different heads and handles, over 56 years nearly everything about the engine has changed, with the exception of its 4.4-inch bore centers (GM's counting the V6 versions used in trucks toward the 100 million total.) The real sneak news? The next generation due with the new Corvette gets direct fuel injection.

Kimi Raikkonen to return to Formula 1 with Renault [BBC] The former Formula 1 champ and Nascar cup-of-coffee sipper will drive for Lotus-Renault. You can see the Iceman's ebullience in full bloom here.

First official shots of production Subaru BRZ [Everywhere] Now that we've seen the Toyota GT 86, what will make the Subaru BRZ different? The grille's a little wider and the tail lights are different, so there's that. Otherwise, everything's the same, including the 197-hp engine. The trouble with leaking so many details over time is that the important news — price — can only disappoint some fans.

Detroit's 'bulky' image means modest gains after U.S.-Korea FTA [Bloomberg] Yes, South Korean shoppers don't think much of American cars. More "dolphin-like" styling might work well here, too.

Paris Hilton buys a Ferrari California [DriveOn/USAToday] Occupy Beverly Hills?

For Osamu Suzuki, VW grasp tests grit, independence [Wall Street Journal] Osamu Suzuki has gained near-legendary status among auto execs, and this story will only help that. Whatever his business errors, there's something charming about anyone who calls their autobiography "I'm An Old Man From a Small, Medium-Sized Business."