Talk Back Tuesday: Europe's Future Products -- Part One
In our ongoing series of future product plan coverage let's take a look at what will be coming across the Atlantic in the coming years. Glancing through the Automotive News analysis it would appear Europe's focus will be on crossovers, small cars and increased fuel efficiency. Who'd a thunk it? But a return of Alfa Romeo and a "cheap" Rolls Royce should keep things interesting. I'm only covering half of the European brands today because, well, there's a lot of them!
Alfa Romeo: After years of hints and innuendos it appears Alfa Romeo may really be coming to America in 2009. Look for the 8C Competizione
(rear-drive coupe with 450hp V8), the 159 sedan (front- or all-wheel drive), the Brea (a 2+2 coupe) and the Spider (a two-seat convertible based off the Brea platform). Momma-mia!
Aston Martin: The DBS is debuting this week in Frankfurt, and it looks to be a worthy successor to the Vanquish. But the real test of Aston Martin's future will come with the launch of it high-end, high-performance sedan, the Rapide
(in 2009). With new ownership and a new product direction the future could be very bright for this British brand.
Audi: The redesigned A4 is practically here, and the redesigned A6 follows next year. But the big news for 2009 is a sleek new A7 sedan that goes up against the CLS, plus not one but two
new crossovers (one of which is the Q5
, pictured). An A5 convertible and redesigned A8 round out the fun in 2010.
Bentley: The Brooklands coupe was shown last spring, and if you want one you'll need $350,000 and a strong connection with your local Bentley dealer (only 150 are coming to the U.S.). The Flying Spur
gets freshened for 2009, but considering Bentley's sales success over the past five years the company shouldn't try to fix what ain't broke.
BMW: A redesigned 7 Series
and M3 coupe, plus an all-new X8 crossover (pictured), are coming next year. For 2009 we get a freshened X5 and M3 convertible, but 2010 will see an X3 redesign, a likely 6 Series redesign and a possible Z6 debut. Oh, and what would the future be without another
new crossover in 2010?
Ferrari: The 2008 F430 Scuderia
will rival the V12 Enzo's performance while costing far less (at "only" around $230,00 it's roughly 1/3 the MSRP). A 612 Scaglietti replacement is due around 2010...only about five years too late if you ask me (that car's styling has never remotely worked for me).
Jaguar: The XF
sedan debuts this week in Frankfurt. You think a lot is riding on the new Chevrolet Malibu? I don't Jaguar can survive another failed vehicle launch. The XF looks more promising than the outgoing S-Type...but that's not saying much. A re-engineer of the XJ is scheduled for 2010...assuming the company still exists.
Lamborghini: A Murcielago Superleggera
and a freshening of the Gallardo happens in 2008, with a Gallardo Spyder freshening to follow in 2009. Far more interesting is the possibility of a Lamborghini SUV in the coming years. Makes sense from an all-wheel-drive company, but do we really need another SUV? Hmm...let's ask Porsche.
Land Rover: Not a lot to report for Land Rover. A reskin of the Range Rover is scheduled for 2009, and a possible Range Rover Sport restyle in 2010. With the company's future ownership still in limbo it's probably difficult to lock in any concrete future product plans.
Maserati: The big news already happened for Maserati, the all-new Ferrari-powered GranTurismo coupe
. A retractable hardtop is likely to follow, as is a Competizione version. if that's still not enough don't forget that those upcoming Alfas will be sold through Maserati dealers.
Maybach: Umm...the 62 S just debuted...
Check back tomorrow where we'll pick up with Mercedes-Benz.
- Posted by
- Karl Brauer September 11, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Aston Martin, Audi, Auto Shows, BMW, Bentley, Ferrari, Future Vehicles, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Land Rover
Does anyone else think the the Jaguar XF looks like a Buick? Photoshop some portholes on the side and it's a dead ringer.
I really like how the XF looks, besides the round headlight cutouts. Didn't work for the RSX, didn't work on the Monte Carlo, doesn't work on any of the Chryslers... it's just a dumb design idea.
But the S-type was the only Jag that I thought looked modern enough. I guess it wasn't, but I wouldn't have touched it until bringing the X-type and whatever the big one's called into the 21st century. Especially the big one, it seriously looks 20 years old!
If Alfa Romeo were bringing over the 147 then that would've been my next car, guaranteed (147gta if I do well). But they won't, and the spy shots of its successor aren't to my liking. Not that they'd bring it. Maybe an Alfa will be 10 years down the road instead of 5 for me, but I'm very excited to see them coming (even though I know they don't drive all that great... and aren't built well...).
There's something slightly BUick-ish about the fron end of the XF, but it looks far more attractive than any Buick (or Jaguar) sedan I can think of.
Karl, was the S-type that bad? I thought it is a nice car and has a "majestic" look about it........unfortunately, instead of updating it Jaguar left it for too long so it's become outdated. But at the time it was released I felt it was great.
I'm looking forward to the 159. But I couln't care less about the supercar......I'm really not that interested in 450 hp supercars........
Long live Aston Martin.
Me fingers are all crossed that recent changes only improve the breed that much more.
I noticed the XF and Lucerne similarity as well, especially the shape of the grille and headlights. But, I give it as a compliment to Buick. Maybe I'm getting old, but I think that's a pretty nice looking car.
The XF does look like a Buick. It has four wheels and four doors and headlights in the front and tail lights in the rear just like a Buick does.
The XF looks like someone stole the headlights off of my monte, and grafted them onto the new mondeo
The f430 is true art in motion. The car is absolutely gorgeous and the price point is good (VERY VERY relatively).
Keep the Lamborghini SUV at around the 110k mark at it will sell WELL.
I can't get over how gorgeous the 430 is. Trade in ure Ford Karl :P
XF is a design disappointment. I am not a Jaguar (or Buick) fan, but concept was at least looking new and sharp. Also as I understand platform is just carry over. Not gonna compete against Germans. Expensive platform that lost all comparos with any luxury marque available, even with Lincoln. For Lincoln it would be okay (actually not – still too expensive), but for price that Jaguar asks… Ford needs to get rid of Jaguar and v.v.
I am very excited about Alfa Romeo coming to the states mostly because I have fallen in love with the 159. I also think Fiat should follow big brother over soon after as I'm sure they would do well considering the popularity of the fit,mini,etc...
Not to be the only person in the world supporting Jaguar but I believe the brand serves its purpose. My grandmother thinks her 2006 XJ is the best thing since sliced bread. It pampers and makes her feel safe and that is what people in that age bracket want not blistering performance and handling.
I think Europe will continue to develop great fuel-efficient cars AND better mass transit.