More Talk Back: European Future Products -- Part Two
Here's the follow-up to our look at Europe's future product as predicted by Automotive News. Yesterday we hit Alfa Romeo through Maybach, so today we'll start with Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz: Lots of activity for 2008, most of which we've already seen (SLR Roadster, S65, all-new C-Class, etc.). Next year we get the C63
(457hp), a CLK convertible, an E-Class update, an SLK restyle and an SL freshen. In 2009 we get a CLS freshen, an AMG E-Class, an S-Class convertible and -- believe it or not -- a small crossover called the GLK.
Mini: The Clubman
just debuted in Frankfurt, and we'll see how the small-car brands fares with a larger model. The new John Cooper Works model
looks cool (and makes 207 horsepower while weighing 66 pounds less) and the convertible gets a full redesign, to catch up with the coupe, for 2009.
Porsche: Both the Boxster and the Cayman get freshened next year, while the titanic 911 GT2
debuts with 530 turbo-charged horsepower. A full redesign of the Cayenne happens in 2009, while Porsche's first sedan, the Panamera, hits town in 2010 (and yes, the company will still have a "soul" -- along with a stronger bottom line).
Rolls-Royce: Making cars for only the super rich may foster a sense of elitism in your product, but it ain't great for sales (just ask Maybach). Rolls-Royce will respond with a smaller, "cheaper" model for the 2010 model year (watch out Bentley). In the meantime we'll get a Phantom coupe
next year to balance out the Drophead Coupe that just hit showrooms.
Saab: There's a seachange going on at Saab, and I've had a glimpse of the new tide rolling in (so have you if you've seen the latest 9-3 SportCombi). By 2009 we'll have an all-new 9-5, a 9-4x crossover and a larger, midsize crossover that all display the new thinking (and styling) at Saab. Best of all -- no more re-badged Chevy's or Subarus!
Smart: The ForTwo
debuts next year, and we're getting one in our long-term fleet for a hands on review of the newest, smallest car to hit America. The big question for this tiny car is -- will Americans buy it? As is often the case, everyone is willing to be an environmentalist -- unless it costs them something. Will Americans see the smart product as potentially costing them everything (if an Escalade hits them)?
Volkswagen: Lots going on at VW (which is good, because not a lot is going on with their sales numbers these days...). Redesigned Jetta Sportwagen, along with the Tiguan
, a new minivan and a new sporty sedan are set for the next 12 months. Then comes a Rabbit, New (now old?) Beetle, Passat and Touareg redesign before 2010. Oh yeah, they're also going to try that luxury sedan route...again.
Volvo: The C30 was the big news out of Volvo this year. The next big thing will come in the form of a...(wait for it)...small crossover/SUV! Called the XC60, it actually looks pretty good and will be in showrooms by 2009. A redesign of the S60 follows in 2010, along with a restyle of the XC90. And maybe, with the popularity of Chevy's Volt, we'll see the ReCharge concept
they just unveiled in Frankfurt somewhere in our future.
- Posted by
- Karl Brauer September 12, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Future Vehicles, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Saab, Smart Car, Volkswagen, Volvo
I don't get the point of the MINI clubman. Who is buying a MINI so they can carry stuff around? I know a few MINI owners and none of them complain that they can't carry band equipment in the back of it.
C63 is hot.
That new 9-3 Turbo X is also hot. Too bad the US won't get the 19" double 3 spoke rims
VW already have a very successful luxury car brand: Audi. Why are they bothering with a VW-branded luxury car when they could use that money on other things? It's like Toyota trying to release a Toyota-branded luxry car while there's still the successful Lexus! I just don't understand........
scott65, do you have children?
If someone has small children, they need the extra space. I think Clubman will strengthen Mini brand.
Not everyone wants to drive an SUV or a crossover. I love Mini and will seriously consider buying a Clubman a few years down the road.
Clubman's purpose is to expand the appeal of the MINI brand, it is not designed to sell to the people who are satisfied with the current MINI, it is designed to sell to those who want just a bit more practicality with their fun.
scoot65
The Mini is a retro car, and a very good one at that. Back in the 1960s there was a Mini Clubman, and this is just a modern rendition of that model.
Wrt VW, there they go again. Patheon, round 2. Sigh...
At least Saab has some nice stuff coming. Now if only they can improve their dismal reliability.... ;-)
kurtamaxxxguy, I can't believe after all these years of excellent consumer repot ratings and many positive articles, people still consider SAAB to be unreliable. In fact, SAAB is BY FAR the most reliable European brand and has been for about 8 years. There are thousands of SAABs that are running well (and more enjoyable than any new Toyota or Honda) into very high mileage, close to a million miles. 300k miles is normal for a SAAB without requiring any major engine, clutch, gearbox, transaxle or suspension work. They are very cheap to own. Parts are plentiful, very high quality and very inexpensive. They are very easy to work on by a handy owner.
I constantly hear of major issues with Toyotas and Hondas (engine issues, transmissions failing on majority of cars within 30k miles, timing belt issues, etc., etc.) and people still say "Honda reliability" and "SAABs are not reliable". Evil wins every time.
You may be right about Saab reliability vvk, but no one is going to take you seriously when you claim that engines or transmissions fail on the MAJORITY of Hondas and Toyotas before they have 30k on the clock. Heck, if ANY current brand in the US offered that sort of reliability they would be out of business!
bbechtel16, I struggle to understand that myself. Honda and Toyota just seem to be immune. To their credit, they do treat their customers right. Issues are handled under warranty with least amount of hassle and both companies extended their warranties to cover any possible future issues on affected models.
Widespread automatic transmission failures on Hondas/Acuras and lubrication system failures on Toyotas/Lexus' are well known. Google is your friend.
There is not a single car company in the US or probably anywhere for that matter that would accept a failure rate of "majority" of its most major powertrain components in under 30k miles. That is preposterous. wk, if you're going to make a statement of fact like that, you should provide concrete data or at least a specific reliable source to back it up.
When there is a major problem, like the well-known sludge issue in some Toyota engines or Ford's cruise control fires, it's usually still a very small percentage of actual units that end up garnering a disproportionate amount of attention.