So I've been hanging out at the Auto Show this week, and I am extremely pleased to report that I have learned exactly three worthwhile lessons. Weekly Top 3? Three lessons? Just in time for my inaugural CarPool post on December 3rd 4th? Sometimes, friends, everything happens for a reason. Read on, and learn well.
3. Spyker has the coolest manual shifter in any car ever, obviously, period, not open to discussion.
2. Chrysler could still use some financial advice.
Because they had more wannabe models/O.C. housewives adorning their products than any other automaker at the show. Maybe these fine citizens do pro bono work for ailing companies, but somehow I doubt it. So let me get this straight: Chrysler's fresh-out-of-bankruptcy braintrust apparently thought it would be a good idea to pay a gaggle of go-go girls to lean on Calibers and Compasses (and the admittedly pretty neat Jeep concept pictured at right) for a couple days. Ladies and gentlemen, the new and improved Chrysler Group!
1. Hyundai is taking over the world.
This was true even before the debut of the 2011 Sonata. Hyundai says that November 2010 sales were up an unbelievable 46% compared to last year. But it's the new Sonata that will ensure Hyundai's global dominance. Rival sedan-sellers should be very afraid. Base engine: direct-injected 2.4-liter four rated at 200 horsepower and 35 highway mpg. Coming next year: a turbo four with over 250 hp and a dual-mode hybrid with proprietary Hyundai technology. Styling: more interesting than any family sedan on the market, if you ask me, especially inside, where those sly Hyundai folks have copied Infiniti's center stack and Volvo's mode man. Accommodations: excellent front and back, yet without the sense of overgrown dimensions that plagues the current Accord and Mazda 6. And it starts under $20,000 when it goes on sale in January. Toyota and Honda and everyone else: you've got a problem.
And you, dear readers, have learned your lessons.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor
By ahightower
on December 4, 2009
08:31 AM
Maybe it looks better in person, but that new Sonata looks like a bad Chinese ripoff of a VW CC. Interior is nice, and I'm sure quality is very good, but they haven't a single original thought when it comes to styling.
By brn
on December 4, 2009
09:54 AM
"Spyker has the coolest manual shifter in any car ever, obviously, period, not open to discussion."
It looks really cool at first, but I think I'd get tired of it after about a day.
"Chrysler could still use some financial advice."
So you need go-go girls to decide if a car is worth buying? Got it.
"Hyundai is taking over the world."
That does seem to be the case and it baffles me.
By misterfusion
on December 4, 2009
11:18 AM
Yeah, let's bash Chrysler for providing attractive women to distract us from their stellar lineup of vehicles.
Come ON man, it's a trade show! Booth babes are an absolute prerequisite!
By jriz
on December 4, 2009
11:53 AM
I agree, why are you so anti booth babe Sadlier?
With Ferrari and Maserati missing, Fiat-owned Chrysler must've felt an obligation to provide them for we journalists.
By SadButTrue
on December 4, 2009
01:19 PM
@ babe defenders,
Just saying, they could have cut those babe expenses and devoted an extra two cents to each Caliber interior instead.
Also, parking babes next to some of the worst cars in the world pretty much invites ridicule, don't you think? Not even the Italians would hire a babe to lean against, say, a Fiat Panda.
-JS
By 1487
on December 4, 2009
01:27 PM
The styling of the Sonata is being blown out of proportion. The engine and interior are much more notable. The outside looks like a Hyundai version of the ES350- nothing new there. It is more adventurous than the Accord or Camry however.
By 1487
on December 4, 2009
01:28 PM
"Also, parking babes next to some of the worst cars in the world pretty much invites ridicule, don't you think? Not even the Italians would hire a babe to lean against, say, a Fiat Panda."
So you think Chrysler execs personally picked out the models and decided which vehicles they should pitch? I can only assume you are joking- not sure though.
By SadButTrue
on December 4, 2009
02:38 PM
^I'm saying someone at Chrysler decided it was a good idea to spend money on babes, when (1) they're barely out of bankruptcy, and (2) their model lineup isn't exactly babe-worthy. Not what I'd expect from a struggling company with subpar products.
But I'm hearing a lot of pro-babe voices here...perhaps I could interest you guys in an import-tuner car wash calendar?
By kingkhalas
on December 4, 2009
03:25 PM
maybe I need to buy some Hyundai stock.
By estreka
on December 4, 2009
03:37 PM
You were surprised a sub-par company provided sub-par babes?
By SadButTrue
on December 4, 2009
03:53 PM
^Well, I'm not saying the babes themselves were subpar...
By jriz
on December 4, 2009
03:59 PM
"Not even the Italians would hire a babe to lean against, say, a Fiat Panda."
http://image.aving.net/img/2008/03/06/20080306062353403.jpg
Boo yeah!
By SadButTrue
on December 4, 2009
04:22 PM
^Okay, well, that's the Panda 420 edition. Also, I challenge you to find me a picture of THIS Panda (the one I had in mind) with babes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fiat_Panda_post_facelift.jpg
Nonetheless, good work. A Panda with babes. I said it didn't exist.
By carforallnet
on December 6, 2009
12:29 PM
I like this blog and i well viset agen thank you
By subytrojan
on December 7, 2009
06:14 PM
LOL! Nice one, James! Your archnemesis has brought it, Josh!
By SadButTrue
on December 8, 2009
12:29 AM
@suby t,
James's preferred non-James name is Tiberius. He thanks you for respecting his wishes.
-JS
By ms_laci
on December 19, 2009
12:15 PM
As a babe defender, you have to admit above par girls pressed against under par autos seems sort of futile.
Now option my Boxster Spyder with Cora Skinner-shaped humps, and I'll take two...
of both.