Okay, now before you get all goofy, these images are photo-illustrations from the Japanese auto rag Best Car via NASIOC, so take that for what it's worth... Actually, I think they're probably pretty close--but know that they are not the real deal.
It turns out that there have been a couple of recent news leaks on the all-new Legacy, one that originated from a dealer (here and here), and one coming from Canada on the north-of-the-border-spec version.
Fisker will be showing their Karma S (for "Sunset") at the NAIAS. Not much is known at this point, other than it's a plug-in hybrid. The automaker claims a 50-mile range from a single charge of the lithium-ion battery, before the gas engine kicks in. Also claimed by Fisker is that the car produces up to 408 hp.
The new 2010 Toyota Prius will debut shortly at the NAIAS, a show that appears to be heading south this year. So to help spark a little interest in the show, as well as the car, Toyota has engaged the super-cool Blue Man Group to tease you with a video until the introduction takes place.
Lexus will debut their first purpose-built hybrid at the NAIAS, the HS 250h. It's believed that this luxury hybrid, like other Lexus models, is to be spun off an existing Toyota platform; that being the next-gen Toyota Prius--also to be unveiled at Detroit.
In a move designed to entice the commercial customer, Toyota will be offering a decontented Tundra 'Work Truck' model for 2010. The vehicle, in the basic regular 2WD format, will start at $21K. That's almost $1,400 less that the current base model.
In coming up with is vehicle, Toyota ditched all the chrome it could. It also got rid of cruise control, power outside mirrors, lit ignition key ring, lit glove compartment, and a few other items as well. The truck also has a unique new two-bar grille; one would assume that this new grille will make its way on to other 2010 Tundras as well. The front bumper is also ever so slightly changed. The 2010 Tundra will debut at the San Diego auto show, which begins at the end of this month.
More signs that things are not well at Toyota, as President Katsuaki Watanabe has canceled his plans to attend the Detroit auto show. Sounds to me that this is more of a "gesture" to show that Toyota too is suffering. Yeah, Toyota posted a loss for the year, something they have not seen since 1938! Even so, they surely could afford to send their top guy to this show.
Chevy will debut an all-new 2010 Equinox CUV at the upcoming NAIAS. The vehicle will be available with either a 2.4L, 182 hp, 4-cylinder model; or a 3.0 V6 putting out 255 hp. Both models have direct injection, will be available in either FWD or AWD, and will be coupled to a 6-speed automatic.
The vehicle looks good and the spec sheet is pretty impressive. The question is, can Chevrolet convince customers cross-shopping the CR-V, RAV4 and Escape to pick this new Equinox over those models?
To date we've been hearing nothing but bad news regarding the upcoming Detroit auto show, with all the no-shows and all. Despite all that, Joe Serra (pictured) the auto show senior co-chairman, says the show this year is actually growing a bit this year. It will have more exhibitors, more world premieres and the high interest from international media remains.
Even so, there's no getting around the fact that many premier names will be MIA. There's just no getting around that fact, and for many, that's going to be a downer.
"The key word is efficiency, in both cars and displays," said Serra. "We will still be a global stage to the world, but perhaps with a little less glitz and glamour."
Okay, why six wheels? What's the advantage to this type of setup?
According to Ferruccio Covini, the creator, the vehicle is protected if one of the front wheels is deflated, has extra braking capacity thanks to four individual brake units up front plus two in the back, less chance of aquaplaning, increased grip and a more comfortable ride. Um... okay.
The car reportedly will be powered by a 4.2L Audi V8, putting out around 380 horsepower, with power sent to the rear wheels. Gotta wonder if they ever considered AWD?
Covini says he actually thought about this concept 30 years ago, and a prototype showed up at the Geneva Auto Show back in 2004. So it's been a long haul for Covini to get this to market.
For those who think this idea is off the wall, remember that there is some history with 6-wheeled race cars, such as the Elf Tyrell F1 racer that Jody Schecter raced (here).
Here you go Subie fans: an image of the Legacy concept has surfaced over at DrivingSports.com (and on other sites as well). This is very close to what the actual 2010 Legacy will look like. Under the hood resides a 3.6 H6. Since the image shows no hood scoop there's no turbo; a turbo is expected to be part of the model mix, but most likely in 4-cylinder format. The car will debut at the NAIAS next month.
Volvo will be showing this S60 Concept at the NAIAS. The styling is more aggressive than what we're used to seeing from Volvo. Interesting to note that the car has "suicide" rear doors. Since this is a Volvo (safety and all that...), maybe they have discovered that this door configuration is actually safer than the conventional door setup?
BMW will use the 2009 NAIAS to debut their all-new Z4 sports car. The new Z-car (sorry Nissan) has grown a bit, softened the styling a tad, and has added a folding hardtop. Power will come from the existing 3.0 6-cylinder engines. The naturally-aspirated sDrive30i puts out 255 hp, and the twin-turbo sDrive35i offers 300 hp. The base model (I hate those silly names) will come with either a 6-speed manual of 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. The twin-turbo will be offered with the 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch tranny.
I've never been a fan of the Z3 or Z4 in terms of styling. This one, now with numerous 7-Series styling cues, is better than the past models, but it's still not my cup of tea. Hopefully my mind will be changed once I see it in the flesh.
Mercedes will be bring three new eco-concepts to the NAIAS, all including the name BlueZero.
Named the E-Cell, F-Cell and E-Plus; and are all variations on the electric vehicle concept. The E-Cell uses a pure-ev design, with lithium-ion batteries and electric motors powering the vehicle. The E-Plus uses lithium-ion batteries and electric motors to drive the wheels. It also features a gas-powered engine to charge the batteries for greater range between charges. Lastly, the F-Cell uses hydrogen fuel cells to power the electric motors.
Official images have been leaked of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The car is all new, and reflects some of the styling cues seen on recent Benz models; that being a somewhat tortured and overdone skin, with a few too many wrinkles and creases. The car will debut at the NAIAS in January.
Well, this is good news. Subaru, unlike many other automakers, is not bailing from the 2009 NAIAS. In fact they will have a new concept to be displayed.
My guess is that it will be a close-to-production--much like several recent Honda and Acura concepts (Pilot, Ridgeline, TL, etc.)--2010 Legacy or Outback. The last time these models were introduced, back in 2004, the Legacy was introduced first at Detroit with the Outback being announced a month later at Chicago. I suspect that will be the case again this time.
VW debuted the second-generation Golf Plus at the Bologna Motor Show. The car will go sale shortly in Europe. No word yet on powertrain options, but you can bet there will both gas and diesel versions offered. I would love to see this offered here.
Honda has released an image of the production version of their Prius-fighter, the Insight hybrid.
Some may say it's a Prius rip-off, and that's cool. I don't think so. Regardless it's still better looking than the Prius. I predict Honda has another hit on their hands here--if they can convince people to buy cars once again.
Ford just revealed a new Ranger concept in Thailand called the Ranger Max. Assuming FoMoCo survives, and assuming the Ranger survives, might this hint at what the next-generation Ranger could be like?
For those interested in the upcoming, but-not-for-the-USofA VW pickup, here are a couple of videos to further frustrate you. The first is of the surf-rescue concept that was shown at the IAA back ib September. The other is a camo-clad test mule.
In what is turning out to be one of the strangest Detroit auto shows in history, word has it that local Nissan and Infiniti dealers will be putting up their own display. This is coming after news that the US corporate divisions of Nissan and Infiniti have backed out of the show.
"The ultimate, core purpose of auto shows is to create excitement among consumers and generate sales. That's what we're doing," said Doug Fox, co-chairman of the NAIAS and an Ann Arbor Nissan dealer.
Chicago: Yes or No?
Also, Nissan has changed their plans for Chicago. Originally the Chicago was also going to be axed by Nissan and Infiniti. Now those plans have been changed, and the corporate headquarters will once again have a display there.
"After a careful review of this decision with our North Central Region management and our Chicago dealers, we have found a way to maintain a presence at the Chicago show through our dealers," Nissan said in a statement. "The decision outlined for Chicago does not affect our decision to withdraw from the 2009 North American International Auto Show."
With Porsche, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Ferrari, Land Rover and Rolls-Royce, Nissan and Infiniti being no-shows at the NAIAS, that gives the Chinese automakers a better chance to display their products. Formally these vehicles have been delegated to pretty much second-class floor space in the basement of Cobo Hall, better known as Michigan Hall.
Not anymore, as there is now some prime real estate now available up on the main floor. Two Chinese brands moving up to the "show" are BYD Auto and Brilliance.
Undisguised images of the all-new Mazda3 hatch have made their way to the Net. The car will make a world debut at the Bologna Motor Show next month. I would expect a U.S. debut to occur with one of the upcoming shows.
Speaking of the Mazda3, this car will be offered with a $500 in-dash NAVI option. This is great news, as other carmakers will surely be forced to drop their prices on this cash-cow option.
Joining the growing throng of automaker auto show no-shows, Nissan, and presumably Infiniti as well, have decided not to have a presence at either the Detroit or Chicago auto shows. Citing that they have no new models to display (hey! what about the Cube and 370Z?) and the worsening financial market, they felt their money was better spent elsewhere.
VW will show their new Touareg off-road racer that will compete in the upcoming Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race.
It will be powered by a 5.5L V12 turbo clean diesel, which puts out 550 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque. In addition it will be equipped with a trick suspension that offers 25 inches of wheel travel.
We mentioned that GM had canceled any and all announcements at the LA auto show. Porsche has passed on the Detroit show, as will Suzuki. Now word is out that Ferrari, Land Rover and Rolls-Royce have backed out of the Detroit show. Wow...
You know things are tough when the General won't air-freight Bob Lutz to a major auto show, and in addition, cancels all their scheduled press events. Yep, you can thank the dire situation at GM for this latest turn of events.
Oh, the new vehicles will be on display, but there won't be any fancy happenings pertaining them. One particularly noteworthy press cancelation is that of the Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid convertible concept.
One can on only assume, based on the model name of NV2500, that it stands for Nissan Van, and that it's a 3/4-ton vehicle. Anyone following this blog knows that Nissan will be entering the light commercial truck market, and one vehicle is expected to be a van.
Frankly I'm a bit puzzled by what I see here. To me this looks too much like the old-school Detroit-styled vans (low roof and big snout), rather than like the far more modern Euro-school vans, such as the Mercedes/Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter.
Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com (here) dug a little deeper, and discovered that Nissan has trademarked a few other names, further supporting the thinking that "NV" likely indicates "Nissan Van." There's a "NV1500" and "NV3500" suggesting that there will also be 1/2-ton and 1-ton versions. In addition Nissan has trademarked "NP" models, indicating "Nissan Pickup." In fact they trademarked names running from NP1500 to NP5500.
I have long felt that the rear fender area on pickups is a vast area of wasted real estate. So much can be done here to make this area usable, but to date, very little has occurred.
Now, finally, we are seeing truckmakers addressing this. It started with the Chevy Avalanche with a small storage pocket in each rear fender. Recently Dodge has built on that great idea with its new RamBox, which is available on select '09 Ram 1500 models. Now Toyota, at SEMA, has taken this idea to an extreme -- and I love it! At last, maximum storage use from the rear fenders! Let's hope this gets green-lighted for production.
You just know that Subaru would be out in full force at SEMA. One of the vehicles they have on display is a WRX concept, with only a few mods; one of which is their SPT cat-back exhaust.
What's interesting here is that Subaru is saying this concept car has 275 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Now before I bought my new trick-or-treat WRX (got it on Halloween), I drove an '09 WRX with the cat-back exhaust. Besides having a jail-bait sound, the car felt a bit quicker than the earlier '09 WRX that I drove without said exhaust system. So... I guess that exhaust does add some extra power.
How's a Forester turbo with Yokohama Geolandar MTS 30 x 9.5-in. tires mounted on special 15-in. Subaru custom-reversed near-zero offset steel wheels, and up to 14.5" of ground clearance grab you (here)?
An image from the brochure of the next-gen Lexus RX CUV has made its way up on to the Net. The car will officially debut at the LA auto show shortly. It's expected that the car will retain the 3.5L V6, but may get a power bump to around 280 hp. There is also a possibility that the new RX may be offered with seven-passenger seating. The car should hit showrooms in the first quarter of next year.
Yep. She's a real looker, for sure. Nissan has taken the wraps off the new 370Z coupe, which will officially debut at the LA auto show. Besides the larger 3.7L engine, expect a choice of a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed automatic to be offered.
The only thing I question is the rear quarter window. Yeah, it helps the profile's styling, but why even bother as it's absolutely useless in terms of being able to see out of.
...Oh, final comment: Why couldn't the GT-R have looked half this good? Or better yet: Why couldn't Nissan just have developed a GT-R version of this new 370Z?
For Mazda3 fans, the upcoming LA show is both good news and bad news. The good is that the all-new Mazda3 will debut. The bad news is the all-new Mazdaspeed3 will be MIA.
Not sure exactly when the new Speed3 will debut (could be next year?), so in the meantime some teaser spy photos will just have to do.
I've always been a sucker for cool off-roaders, and here's one more that's gotten my attention. It the Fiat Bugster concept, and it will debut at the Sao Paulo auto show in Brazil which starts October 30.
The Bugster is powered by a zero-emission electric motor, and the outer body is built out of renewable fibers. Pretty cool, if you ask me.Full story here.
According to Jalopnik, (via PriusChat.comhere) this is the real deal.
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We sat down with Toyota PR this morning, showed them the pictures and they've confirmed that yes, this is the new 2010 Toyota Prius set to be revealed officially at the Detroit Auto Show in January. And yeah, that's all they're willing to tell us at this time.
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Okay, so there you have it. The only image link here that I question is the first thumbnail which clearly shows a different headlight and foglight treatment from the full-view image.
Interesting that a Toyota spokesman confirmed this with both Inside Line and Jalopnik. The fact that the Toyota guy didn't seem upset, and wiith all the "buzz" surrounding the new less expensive (and very handsome) Honda Insight, you gotta wonder if the leak was planned.
The Toyota Smart-fighter, the iQ, will be on display at the LA auto show. There is some speculation that it could be sold here under the Scion banner, and could come in under $15K.
The iQ is scheduled to go on sale in Europe and Japan in 2010. If it does come here the current 3-cylinder engine might be replaced with a more powerful 4-cylinder unit.Full story here.
Interesting. It looks like Mazda has discovered the happy face (as opposed to Mitsubishi's angry face) as the new look for their cars. We saw it first on the facelifted Miata, and now again on the 2010 Mazda 3. The new car will debut at the LA auto show, and will be available with both 2.0L and 2.5L engines.
No, it's not what you think. Mini is not going to build a pickup truck. Rather they are offering a free shuttle--as in pick-me-up--around the streets of Sydney, Australia during the week that the Sydney auto show is running. Called Mini Pick-Up, it's a free taxi service, with the taxi fleet consisting of a bunch of Minis. Pretty cool--and a great marketing idea to boot.
Set to debut at the LA auto show, images of a lightly camouflaged Nissan 370Z have been posted up on the Net. While similar in look to the current 350Z, closer examination indicates a more substantial change from that model. The fenders seem to be much more pronounced and the roof appears to have a more severe rake to it.
Now before you write this off as merely a silly stylistic concept, you just might want to hold off a bit. Yeah, it's only a "dream bike" which hints at what Honda may be up to with their two-wheelers, but it's more than that--much more.
What's really unique here is that Honda may be reviving their oval cylinder engine design once again. Anyone who has followed Honda's 2-wheeled GP history knows that back in 1979 Honda experimented with an oval cylinder V-4 GP racer called the NR500 (here) (engine pictured below); and without much success, I might add.
Why oval cylinders, you ask? It allowed for the use of 8 valves per cylinder as well as 2 plugs per cylinder, In doing so Honda was able to get power levels comparable to an 8-cylinder engine of that era, but without the size and weight of an 8-cylinder engine. So imagine an 32-valve, 8-plug, sorta 8-cylinder, 500cc engine, if you will.
Apparently this oval cylinder concept has not died, but rather has been honed over the intervening years to the point in which it may see production some day. Now fast-forward this thinking a bit, and imagine an oval-cylinder, 8-valve/2-plug Honda car. It's not as wild as you may think, as much of the high-tech engineering that you see in Honda cars first started on their bikes.
This new Honda concept is being shown at Intermot, a.k.a. the Cologne Motorcycle Show.
Now that all the cars have been laid bare for everyone to see, oggle, berate or just ignore, AutoObserver offers their opinion as to what works and what doesn't work at this latest Parisianne offering.
So what's your take? Do you agree with AO? Or do you have some favorites that you just love to hate, or love to love?
As to me? I disagree with them on the Honda Insight, even though it may well resemble a Prius. Both these cars were wind tunnel-designed--and when you're going for max fuel mileage, the wind tunnel will always win over visual distinction. Prius-like or not, the Insight (left) is better looking than the Prius; plus I see a lot of Honda FCX Clarity (right) styling there as well.
The only thing that I can see that's different from the conventional STI is the blacked-out rear wing, small front lip, and the 12-spoke wheels, but it is believed that this STI Takumi concept, under the skin is pure spec.C. That means tweaking on all performance fronts: engine, suspension, etc.
This car was on display at Motorsport Japan 2008. The production spec.C is expected to debut sometime this winter, and will likely have a few more cosmetic changes including a roof scoop and gold wheels. For those not familar with the spec.C, this is the hardcore track-oriented version of the STI. Previous versions were never sold here in the USA.
At the Paris show they displayed their latest version of their Active Wheel technology. This is not exactly new, as Michelin has been experimenting with this idea for several years.
Essentially the Active Wheel is nothing more than a normal wheel that houses two electric motors. One of the motors transmits power to the ground, whereas the other controls the suspension to provide comfort, handling and stability. It's designed for battery or fuel-cell powered electric vehicles. So-equipped vehicles will no longer need any gearbox, clutch, transmission shaft, universal joint or anti-roll bar.
The compact drive motor and integrated suspension system have allowed engineers to fit a standard brake disc between the motors, which means the braking, drive and suspension components are all fitted within the single wheel.
At the debut of the Mini Crossover concept in Paris it was learned that the next generation of Minis will likely be smaller than the current models.
Mini spokesman Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht, states: "While I am working in this job no Mini will be longer than 4.10 [i.e. four meters and ten centimeters, or 162 inches]." That's exactly the length of the Crossover concept.
The question isn't why, but rather why did it take so long to come to this decision. To me it's a no-brainer. More and more folks want to keep their luxury as they downsize from larger vehicles. The evidence is everywhere. All the premium brands are putting more emphasis on smaller vehicles. Heck, even mainstream automakers are gussying up some of their smaller offerings. The time is now for luxury small cars.
The car will first debut in Europe in 2010, and then likely make its way over here. It will be based on the all-new Prius that will announced this winter, at the Detroit auto show, I believe.
Bimmer fans don't get your hopes up just yet, as early word has it that this car, when it goes into production, may not come here. Why? It all comes down to exchange rates between the dollar and the euro.
In Europe this smaller-than-X3 CUV is expected to offer a 170-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a 177-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder common-rail diesel, as well as a 265-hp 3.0-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine and the company's new 245-hp 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel.
3-wheelers and Harley-Davidson are nothing new. In fact the concept is as American as apple pie. What's new here is that Harley is working on a new high-tech 3-wheeler that leans into the corners. Again, a concept that's not new, but it does indicate a sea change in Harley thinking.
A concept of this bike is rumored to show up at a motorcycle show in Cologne, Germany next month.
The 'new' new Mini has been on the street for some time now, all except for the drop-top version, that is. That model is scheduled to debut at the upcoming Detroit auto show in January.
Well guess what folks? Official looking images have been leaked, and they are now up on the Net. Surprised? I didn't think so.
Also not much of a surprise is that the car hasn't changed much visually from the Gen-I new Mini. Yeah, it's got all the other new-new Mini upgrades, plus a few special items unique to this model. So if you loved the old-new Mini drop-top, you will love this new-new Mini drop-top as well. The car will go on sale next Spring.
The Mercedes-Benz and McLaren relationship may be winding down, but it will go out with a big bang. The automotive duo will show a very special version of the SLR, dubbed the 722 S at the Paris auto show..
Mitsubishi Motors is participating in this year's Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge, which pits Southern California-based OE design studios against one another for ultimate bragging rights. This year's theme is: Motorsports in 2025.
States David O'Connell, Chief Designer, Mitsubishi Motors R&D of America:
"This year's Motorsport 2025 project is just the sort of assignment the designers at Mitsubishi Motors dream of. It's rooted it the reality of automotive competition that our company is so successful at, but lets us look way out on the horizon as to where technology may take us. We all loved hearing the words, 'design a race car,' but really smiled when we learned it was a race car for the year 2025. That combined with linking the car to some of the fabulous racing heritage that's taken place here in California makes it indeed one of the most exciting projects we've ever worked on. My dream would be to actually build and drive this car on the course it was designed for."
VW will use the Paris auto show to launch their latest generation GTI. As per previous generation models, the styling is very evolutionary. There is nothing here that will upset GTI loyalists.
The new GTI is powered by VW's new EA888 four-cylinder 2.0 turbo engine. It puts out 210 horsepower, which is 10 hp over the current GTI. Torque,remains unchanged at 206 pound-feet at just 1,800 rpm. Power is delivered to the front wheels via either a standard six-speed manual or an optional six-speed double-clutch gearbox with steering-wheel-mounted paddles and a full automatic mode. New to the GTI is an electronic differential called XDS, that operates through an enhanced electronic stability program to help power get to the road cleanly and efficiently.
Volkswagen claims a zero to 60 mph in under 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph.
Well, here's yet one more show car leaked on to the Net: It's the Chevy Orlando CUV concept, which is to debut at Paris shortly. The vehicle shares the same Delta II platform as the Chevy Cruze, and power comes from a 2.0-liter turbodiesel. That's about it for details, which will be announced at the show.Full story here.
At the 62nd IAA in Germany VW showed a Caddy concept called the PanAmericana. It's based on the 1.9L turbo diesel 4WD Caddy, which is already on the market.
The vehicle on display is a concept, so the actual production version will differ a bit, but this gives you a pretty good idea as to what to expect; which is sort of a mini (midi?) Avalanche, but without a midgate. It appears to be sized like most mid-sized trucks, but is expected to have a hefty payload rating (VW refers to it as a 1-ton vehicle).
As it stands, here's what we know: We aren't getting it, at least not right away. Bummer! If you want one you will have to move to South America, South Africa or Australia. Note that besides the United States, Europe is not on this list. A glimmer of hope for the U.S. and European markets, however, is the phrase in the press release that states "other markets will follow." The truck will be built in Argentina and will arrive at dealers by the end of 2009.
Here's what we don't know: Two words: a lot. We don't know the name. We don't know any of the specs, or what engines and cab configurations will be offered (well, yeah, a crew cab for sure...).
Having said that, I think it's safe to assume that a version of the dual-range AWD found on the Touareg will be used; yes, the press release did mention "AWD." Also mentioned are both gas and diesel engines, most likely Touareg-derived would be my guess. As to the bed, it's wide enough to handle a "Euro pallet" sideways, something VW claims the competition can't do. If it ever comes here, I hope it's wide enough to handle 4 x 8 sheets of plywood.
Lots of news these days about what's going to debut at the Paris auto show, so here's a bit of a break from that: VW will debut their new pickup at IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany, which is held next week.
Rumored to be called the Robust, or Toro II, the vehicle will be built at VW's factory in Pacheco, Argentina. VW is claiming it to be a 1-ton truck, but not in the same sense that American think of 1-toners. This will be more of what we call mid-sized, but with a very healthy payload rating. Expect gas and diesel versions to be offered.That's the good news. The bad news is it won't be for sale here; at least not now, or at least until the pickup market rebounds here. So if you live south of our border, or in Europe, you can get this new VW pick-em-up starting late in 2009.
The one thing that's predictable about the Paris auto show is that the vehicles that will debut will be unpredictable. Only the Tokyo auto show is wackier than the Paris show.
Among French automakers, Renault is sure to hold up this unpredictable theme, as they and others have been fine-tuning their art for decades. This year is no exception, as they will show the Ondelios, which is a luxury CUV hybrid. So they've covered all the buzz-word segments here, and have added the expected unexpectedness in terms of design.
For starters, the vehicle has gullwing doors, a feature usually reserved for Benz and Benz wannabes. It seats six, with six individual chairs. It's powered by a 2.0 dCi turbo diesel engine, with two 20kW electric motors at the front and rear that use a brake and boost system, recovering energy during braking then delivering it to the engine to boost acceleration. The crossover is also equipped with a lithium-ion battery that can deliver power of up to 4kW/h.
Renault claims a 0-62 mph in 7.8 seconds, as well as 53.2 US mpg.
Mini will debut a not-so-mini Mini Crossover concept at the Paris auto show. The vehicle is quite a bit larger than the already large (by original Mini dimensions) Mini Clubman. It's wider, higher, has more ground clearance, and has a 102.6-inch wheelbase, which is 2.4 inches more than that found on the Clubman.
Perhaps the most interesting design innovation is that it has a minivan-like sliding door on the driver's side and a conventional rear door on the passenger's side. In addition, the Clubman's double rear door has been ditched in favor of a large refrigerator-like rear door.
It's powered by a 1.6L engine, and of course, has AWD. The car will go on sale here in 2010.
Ummm... Not sure about this illustration. It's soooo far from what we've come to expect from Nissan. It has none of the current Nissan truck styling cues, especially from the front. Plus for a HD truck, it's not very macho looking. Then again, that's not a primary concern as commercial customers are more interested in what the vehicle can do, and for how little in terms of $$$.
At any rate, Nissan is reportedly going to show a heavy-duty pickup, a full-size van, and a smaller van at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show.
Ford will be showing a Fiesta van at the Paris Auto Show. This type of vehicle is popular with the European small businesses, and have been for some time. Think, with gas prices the way they are, we might see something like this over here soon?
As promised, Honda lifted the curtain today on their all-new Prius-fighter hybrid. In doing so Honda resurected the name Insight, which was first applied to their 70 mpg 2-seat hybrid of a few years back.
This concept, like all recent Honda concepts is almost showroom-ready. Also like all Hondas, it is far more attractive (in my eyes) than the corresponding Toyota model that it would compete with.
The Insight will go on sale next spring, and is expected to undercut the Prius by $2K or so, starting at just under $20,000.
Mazda will debut their Kiyora concept at the upcoming Paris Auto Show. The styling follows the flowing (think folded drapery) theme found on all recent Mazda concepts. Other than having a "next-generation" direct injection 4-cylinder engine, not much is known about what's under the skin.
Spy shots of the "baby" Roller are up on the UK Autocar site. The car will be built off the BMW 7-Series chassis, but will have a 'proper' RR engine and not a BMW engine. As to size, expect it to slot in between the big Bimmer and the Phantom. So that being the case, this is going to be one big baby indeed.
It appears that it will have Phantom-like rear suicide doors, and probably profile as well. Also of note is that Rolls-Royce market studies have indicated that there are 100,000 customers out there who would buy such a car. Folks, if true, those numbers are staggering. It would make this car a truly high-volume product in this ultra-wealthy market segment. The car is expected to debut at the Geneva auto show in March.
This show, like the Chinese and Indian auto shows, is gaining in importance as being a ready-for-prime-time show. Expect to see much more news coverage from Russia in the future, as well as from China and India.
So the question of the day is: Do you think we will ever see Russian vehicles being exported here at some point?
The Moscow auto show is about to open, and it's significant, in that Russia has a booming demand for vehicles. No wonder all the major automakers are so eager to be players--big players!
Ten years ago--heck five years ago--who would have given this show a second thought? Folks, the times they are a-changin'...
AutoObserver has an excellent editorial posted on the exploding Russian auto industry. There are big questions as to how this show (and Russia) will be received in light of what's also exploding in Georgia.
AWD is already part of the package on the top-of-the-line LS 600h. Now Lexus will offer AWD on the less expensive LS 460. The AWD's default front/rear power split is 40/60 but can change to 30/70 depending on driving conditions. The engine puts out 381 hp, and that power is sent to the wheels via an 8-speed transmission. This is unlike the AWD LS 600h, which uses an electronically-controled CVT. The car should go on sale at the end of the year in Russia, and probably here too.
Infiniti released a photo of their upcoming G37 convertible at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The actual car, which has the now-obligatory folding hardtop, will debut at the LA auto show in November.
This year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is shaping up to being one heck of an event, as Straightline has reported on several very special vehicles that will be on display. Here's one more:
It's a special one-off Rolls-Royce called the Hyperion. This tiny Roller (by usual Rolls standards) was built by Pininfarina; and probably most incredible, is that it is fitted with a gun rack in the cabin!
The Infiniti G37 lineup consists of perhaps some of the best looking and most desirable cars ever to come from the Land of the Rising Sun. This is even more true of the G37 Coupe, a vehicle that's so good looking that it makes the Nissan GT-R look like the morning after of a night of too much sake.
So news that there will be an AWD version of the G37 Coupe has me a just bit giddy. Better still, Inifiniti is planning on doing a folding hardtop version as well, but likely in RWD. The hardtop-convertible will debut at the LA auto show in November, and will arrive in the first quarter of next year.
Also coming for all 2009 G models is a new 7-speed automatic that will replace the current 6-speed unit, plus an uprated brake package and new 18" rims.
The folks over at NextAutos.com have posted some spy images of the all-new next-generation Toyota Prius, which is rumored to debut at the Detroit auto show in January.
The images show that the overall profile will remain much as it currently is. However, the car is reportedly larger and more powerful--and more fuel-efficient. It's also expected that there may be other body styles, perhaps a wagon and convertible. Sounds like a win-win for hybrid fans.Full story here.
While it's unlikely to win many over when it comes to styling, it's sure to be a hit on the track. The makers of the Aspid, a Lotus-Seven-inspired Star Wars sports car if ever there was one, claim a 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds, and 5.9 seconds from 0-100 mph. It can stop from 100 mph in 3.0 seconds. Those are serious numbers folks!Full story here.
Honda says their eco-friendly OSM, or Open Study Model, (Honda teases with OSM sketch) is merely a concept, exploring new design themes. That's hard to believe as this car looks almost production-ready as is. Many think this hints at what the next S2000 might evolve into, or even at the up-coming CR-Z.
The code-named Lotus 'Project Eagle' ('Project Eagle' a new mid-engined, 2+2 Sportscar from Lotus) was introduced at the British Auto Show wearing the Evora name tag. This 2+2 is the first all-new Lotus since the Elise, which was introduced back in 1995.
Unlike other Lotus cars, the Evora was designed as a pure GT, and not a sports car. Powered by a 276 hp 3.5L V6, the new car uses a lightweight chassis technology for first-rate track performance but with ride and handling more in line with a grand touring car. Under the skin the entire front-end structure is a high tech aluminum sacrificial modular unit, attached to the main extruded aluminum tub. This modular unit is designed to deform for maximum safety, and to reduce repair costs in the event of a frontal impact. The car's final curb weight comes in at 1,350kg. That number could change as it's still a prototype. Production starts later this year.
The UK is getting two--possibly three--special edition WRXs, which no doubt are meant to counter any upcoming Mitsubishi EVO challenges. They are a 252 ps WRX-S, a 325ps WRX STI 330S, and finally a 375ps WRX STI 380S concept.
Of most interest to American Subie fans is the UK-spec WRX-S (pictured above), as that could well hint at what we might see in the US-spec 2009 WRX. The car mirrors most if not all the items mentioned in recent rumors such as in a more powerful 2.5 engine and a tweaked suspension and aero kit. It also has some STI visual styling cues, such as the STI grille and painted out (former chrome) panel on the rear hatch. One thing I don't expect to see is the 18" wheels and tires seen here. The U.S. model will be getting upgraded rubber and grayed out wheels, but will remain 17" units.
Subaru of America is supposed to announce the 2009 Imprezas in about a week, so it won't be long before we know the whole deal.
LeftLaneNews is reporting that a possible new mid-engine sportscar from VW may be in the works, and may be displayed at the LA auto show. If true, this would be a 'halo' car for the VW brand. Even more intrieging is that Audi and Porsche may also get versions.
Think of this as being a modern-day VW/Porsche 914. Also think Lotus Elise-fighter, but cheaper; well the VW version will be cheaper. A couple of engine could be used, all based on a four inline four-cylinder format set in front of the rear axles. As to specifics, a gasoline 1.4-liter turbo engine making 168 horsepower and a new 1.6-liter diesel with 125hp are under consideration. Either engine will likely use a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Audi version would likely use the 211hp 2.0TFSI engine, with the option of a twin-turbo 2.0-liter TDI good for 204hp. Porsche may even revive the 914 nameplate for their model.
Also expected is an aluminum spaceframe. If true, the car would weigh in at under 2,200lbs, which would mean great performance as well as fuel economy.
New Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, which will debut at the Moscow Motor Show late this August, is not coming to the USA. That's a shame. Yeah, I know, there's a limited market here for any "true" SUV these days. Nevertheless, I still think this would be a good addition to the Mitsubishi U.S. product portfolio.
So this 5- or 7-passenger SUV will be sold where these types of vehicles are appreciated and will be used as intended. For those lucky markets who will get this vehicle (Russia, the Middle East, Latin America and Oceania), one can expect two diesel engine choices, 2.5L and 3.2L, as well as a 3.5L V6 gas engine choice. It also comes with Mitsubishi's excellent Super Select 4WD which can be used on any surface.
2009 CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR AND CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR SPEED TO MAKE DEBUTS AT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOWThe 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur and Continental Flying Spur Speed will make their official international motor show debuts at ExCel (London) later this month."We are delighted that the next chapter of the Flying Spur success story will begin in our home market and at the British International Motor Show, notably as our British customers have played a key part in making this Bentley the most sought-after 12-cylinder luxury saloon in the world," comments Stuart McCullough, Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing.With its combination of exhilarating performance, luxury, craftsmanship and four-door practicality the 12-cylinder Continental Flying Spur has been at the forefront of Bentley's revitalisation since its launch in 2005 and the range is now refined and expanded with two highly distinctive models.The instantly recognisable style of the Flying Spur undergoes a subtle evolution with changes to the front and rear design. The new, more upright grille and bolder lower air intake accentuate the distinctive Bentley profile, while a new rear bumper delivers a sleeker and more aggressive appearance.The 552bhp Continental Flying Spur offers enhanced levels of comfort and choice. A comprehensive range of noise-absorbent measures including acoustic glazing ensure that cabin refinement, already a hallmark of the Continental Flying Spur, is best in class.Bentley's famous commitment to the highest quality of craftsmanship and customer personalisation is highlighted with an enhanced choice of beautifully crafted marquetry and chrome inlays. In addition, seat piping, a traditional Bentley feature, has also been introduced with two new hide colours.Joining the Continental Flying Spur in London is the 600bhp Flying Spur Speed which unleashes the potent performance and intense levels of driver engagement of its highly acclaimed stablemate, the Continental GT Speed.Inspired by Bentley's legendary 'Speed' models that first appeared in 1923, the Flying Spur Speed offers a range of headline performance figures including a 0-60mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 200mph.The Flying Spur Speed is distinguished by unique design cues which underline its performance credentials, including dark-tinted radiator and air intake grilles, wider rifled exhaust tail pipes and unique 20-inch multi-spoke alloys.Both Continental Flying Spur models can now be specified with Bentley Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). The ACC uses a long-range radar sensor, mounted in the lower front grille, to monitor the road ahead for other vehicles. When a slower moving vehicle is detected, the system automatically adjusts braking and acceleration to maintain a 'time gap', as selected by the driver.The 'time gap' also controls the vehicle dynamic response. The larger the time gap the more relaxed the acceleration and braking, allowing the driver to tune the ACC system to suit their preferred driving style or to the prevailing traffic conditions.More info can be found here.
Mazda has released images of their Kazamai concept, which is to be shown at the Moscow auto show. "Kazamai," which means "swirling crosswinds" in Japanese, is the latest execution of their Nagare design language.
Some automotive pundunts are speculating that this could hint a new CUV that would be smaller than the CX7.
The future of Cobo Hall is beginning to look as overcast as the image above. This past year Porsche dropped out of the NAIAS, next year Suzuki will be passing on it, and now there's word of another luxury car brand that's considering on not showing up.
So what brand is it? More important: what's going on here? Don't know, and don't know, but clearly Cobo Hall (and Detroit) have a problem on their hands here. One of those problems is that people come to this show to ooh, ah and dream--but they don't buy. Now that may sound strange, but that's what Manny Lopez of The Detroit News says.
Might this be a hint of the next Honda S2000? No according to Honda spokesman Steve Kirk. Well, then, what about the upcoming CR-Z? Might we see some styling cues from this end up on that model? Don't know, and Honda ain't tellin.'
This OSM (Open Study Model) will be shown at the upcoming London show. So I guess we'll just have to wait until then to learn more.
The South Korean-designed Chevy Beat may be coming Stateside. Originally intended for Asia and Latin America, the soaring fuel prices that have sparked the rapidly changing Americans' vehicle tastes have GM rethinking their plans.
"Everything is under review," said GM spokesman Dee Allen. While the automaker's executives continually review their lineup, this examination might lead to bigger changes, he said. "Obviously, the market has been changing rather rapidly."
The Beat is smaller than the current Chevy Aveo, and is roughly the size of a Smart.
Images and info of the upcoming 2009 BMW 7-Series are up on the Net, ahead of the official announcement that's supposed to happen later this month. The car is scheduled to debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.
The new car is expected to offer a twin-turbo gas V8 along with an 8-speed ZF automatic and a torque-splitting rear differential. Other items include upgraded radar cruise control systems, a camera-based lane departure and blind-spot warning systems, and a new night vision system with pedestrian and speed sign detection features.
Spy shots of a heavily masked next-gen Mazda3 have surfaced over on UK's AutoExpress. They've also included a rendering of what they think it might look like. If they're anywhere near being accurate, it looks to be an evolution of the current model in terms of styling direction. No doubt the the mechanicals will get a good going over, but no word on that yet...
Citing that they weren't allocated enough floor space at the upcoming Detroit auto show, Suzuki has announced that they would skip this show for 2009.
Jeff Holland, a Suzuki spokesman, said that Suzuki's plans for more active displays couldn't be accommodated. Suzuki plans to introduce three new products in the next 18 months, and other cities better fit their marketing needs, Holland said. "It's recognizing that we can't be everywhere and recognizing that opportunities are better in shows in other parts of the country," said David Boldt, product public relations manager for Suzuki...
The production version of the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback will debut at the Paris auto show this September. The pixs above show both the base Lancer and the Ralliart version. The Ralliart will go head-to-head with the WRX, as it will be turbocharged and have AWD.
No word as to whether the EVO will get the Sportback model...
Ford's next US-spec Fiesta (a model name not used here since 1981) is going to be built in Mexico. The Fiesta will be built in a plant that used to build F-Series trucks. It will be available as both a sedan and hatchback, and will arrive as a 2010 model.
Carscoop lived up to their name by scooping an image of the upcoming Nissan 370Z. The image was taken by someone with a camera phone at a recent Nissan event.
As you might expect the new Z will be powered by a 3.7L V6 with horsepower well north of 300. It is expected to debut at the next LA auto show next fall...
Nissan is reportedly going to show their light commercial vehicle (or vehicles), otherwise known as LCV(s), at the next Detroit auto show in January. As has been reported, Nissan plans on introducing three LCVs in the United States within the next few years. One is expected to be a van, quite possibly based on their Primastar van (pictured), which is sold in many other markets worldwide. If so, it's most direct competitor here would the the Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter vans, which have proven so popular with delivery services and tradesmen...
Recently Straightline confirmed that the next Titan and Dodge Ram are going to be kiss'n cousins. Now we have some more info on that model, as well as some new info on the yet-to-be-seen HD Nissan pickup.
As to the Titan, the doors and roof panels will be shared by the Titan. Other exterior body panels will be unique...
Bugatti brought their Veyron to the 2008 Beijing Auto Show, and sold one within two hours.
The buyer put forth $3.6 million—which is more than twice the asking price to be the first on the block to own one; actually, to be the first in the country; to own one. Must be nice...
Now before anyone screams that it's just another Chinese rip-off, remember that Beijing Jeep was a joint venture that was originally set up by Beijing Automobile Works and the then-owner of Jeep, American Motors Corporation (AMC), in the early 1980s.
Frankly, I'm pretty impressed by this B40, at least in terms of styling. I think it's way better looking than the current Wrangler. Not much has been reported as to what's under the skin, but it's probably pretty similar to what Jeep offers...
China's auto industry is picking up steam, and is about to launch its products upon the global marketplace.
Well, they're almost ready to do so, as AutoObserver elaborates on in today's editorial on the 2008 Beijing Auto Show. The show is almost world-class, and the cars that they are planning to export are almost world-class. Well, maybe not quite "world-class," but at least almost ready for prime time...
Resurrecting a name from the 1960s, and playing upon stying cues from from its past, Buick debuts the Invicta Concept at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show. The four-door midsize sedan with a coupe-like roofline presents bold direction for Buick’s new generation of vehicles in the world’s two biggest automotive markets, the United States and China.
While its looks may speak to both Buick and Detroit's past; the powerplant, a 2.0L DOHC four-cylinder, direct injection turbo, and hooked up to a 6-speed automatic; is clearly more global in scope. The car resides on a 114.5-inch wheelbase and is 194.2 inches long...
Forget the silly name 'Wingle,' just look at this thing—a factory-built 6-door pickup. It's powered by a 2.8L diesel, and has a top speed of 120 kph. It will debut at the upcoming Beijing Auto Show.
There have been affermarket 6-door pickups before, but never has one been offered from the factory; at least not one that I'm aware of...
A Chinese car that's not a blatant rip-off of some other worldly car? A Chinese car that's actually really good looking?
Yep, that's what we have here with this Geely CE Concept which will debut at the Beijing Auto Show. Ah, my hope for humanity has just been given a much needed boost...
We're so used to Land Rover as being a luxury brand that we sometimes forget that its roots are strictly utilitarian. Remember the anvil-like Land Rover Defender? While certainly "premium, it's hardly "luxurious."
So now we have this Land Rover Freelander 2 Commercial, which is aimed at "commercial" customers. Think of our LR2, but without a rear seat and minus all of the luxury items...
This sort of fell between the cracks in our Geneva show coverage. It's an Opel GT with a V8 of unspecified origin by performance enhancer Irmscher, and is called the Irmscher GT i40.
Now we know there's a 6.0L GM V8, and I wonder if it could fit under the hood of the Pontiac Solstice? Mr...
The Ford Transit Connect Taxi is one of Ford's more recent "Better Ideas." No, make that one of its "Best" ideas, as this vehicle is perfectly suited to the chore of carting people around urban areas. The 2.0-liter gas engine gets 19 mpg, which is roughly 30 percent better than the Crown Vics that are the staple of most taxi fleets. Better still, it has a 90 percent improvement in emissions over most current taxis. I would also hope it's considering a clean diesel option for this vehicle...
Now that all the "new" news has been laid out on the table, we can go through and sort out the winners and losers. To help with that task AutoObserver has already cast its votes.
So, do you agree or disagree with AO's choices? Or can you do better?
Speaking at the breakfast kicking off New York auto show press days, Bob Nardelli, president and CEO of Chrysler LLC, offered no news but worked hard to sound like a car guy, and to reassure us that private equity CAN be interested in building a car company back to greatness.
Nardelli asserted how excited everyone at Chrysler is to come to work every day. And with Tom Lasorda's manufacturing expertise and Jim Press' way with dealers, "We have both the supply side and the demand side covered."
Selected quotes:
"Being private makes us fast, agile and flexible. It's a quick yes or a quick no, never a slow maybe."
"When you adopt the attitude of an entrepreneur, there are no days off."
"We're like a $60 billion start-up company."
"Our brands will become stronger as they become more differentiated, and build on their histories."
"The New Chrysler will get engineering innovations to market quicker than anyone else."
Oh the irony... Buick, at a New York auto show press presentation, showed a sketch of a new Invicta concept that will be introduced—not at New York—but rather at the Beijing Motor Show next month! This is just one more example of how important Buick sees the Chinese market.
For those too young to remember, Invicta was a model line that Buick introduced on their mega-fin 1959 models, and is shown to the right...
Subaru has brought over from Japan its tiny R1e, "e" meaning electric, as in "all-electric" power. Subaru and the New York Power Authority will be testing a pair of these cars this summer.
The vehicle uses a quick-charge lithium-ion battery, and has a range of 50 miles. Top speed is 65 mph...
Images of the new 2009 Nissan Maxima have hit the Net, ahead of its New York Show debut. The new model has shed much of the former models awkward styling details in favor of a more conventional look. No doubt the headlights will raise doubts among those with conservative tastes, but I like them. The grille hints somewhat of the also-new Infiniti FX, which was just introduced at Geneva...
Pontiac will show a hot-rod G8 GXP powered by a version of the 6.2L Corvette LS3 engine, and putting out 430 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque.
All this power is harnessed by either a 6-speed automatic or a Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual. The GXP will ride on 245/40R19 performance tires and 19-inch polished aluminum wheels. Brembo brakes are part of the package...
That's right, this truck is at the moment unnamed—but you, dear viewer, can name it here! The El-Camino-like vehicle is based on the G8 sedan, which means lots of fun, along with a bit work capability.
As you might expect, this 2010 Holden VE-based Ute funster is powered by a big honkin' Gen-IV 6.0L V8 putting out 361 hp. A 5.4 sec 0-60 is expected when it hits the streets in 2009...
Just a quick tease here as to some of what GM is planning on showing at NewYork next week:
• Pontiac will debut 3 new production models
• Saab's 9-x BioHybrid will make its North American debut.
• Buick reportedly to have some surprises—one of which is that their news will also be available in Chinese on the GM media site. Now that may not mean much to those not in the auto news business, but it just goes to show just how important Buick has become to China, and vice-versa. But you already knew that, right?
Surely in what must be the most complicated doors ever, Renault displayed a Megane concept with "Dragonfly Doors" at Geneva. While sorta gullwing-like, these doors open upward and appear to be a real advantage in tight quarters, where a traditional (if that term can be used) gullwing door would not work.
Now that Geneva has been pretty much covered, it's on to the New York show, which opens on March 21...
And as such, here's the latest rendering of the Suzuki Kizashi 3 concept. Suzuki has stated that they are looking to offer something that could compete with mid-sized sedans, and this is it—or at least is close to what we might see in showrooms in the not too distant future.
The front end styling is toned down quite a bit from earlier Kizashi concepts, but still, the visual link is strong...
Now the first thing that came to my mind upon hearing this news is what other Nissans and Infinitis might also use this new engine. I can't help but think that engine is also destined to see action in their full-size trucks and SUVs. As it stands, Nissan and Infiniti only offer one engine choice, the 5.6-liter V8, in those vehicles...
First reports of about the Lancer Sportback indicated that this might be a Europe-only model. Now it's been confirmed that it will be coming to the United States as well. Pictured above is the Mitsubishi Prototype-S concept, which will debut at Geneva, and is very close to what we can expect to see in showrooms.
Giugiaro, after teasing us with some close-up detail images of the Quaranta concept, has finally released official pictures and info about their new concept, which celebrates 40 year of Italdesign being in business.
The car is powered by a 3.3L hybrid-V6 which is supplied by Toyota. How's that having your cake and eating it too? Stunning Italian design hooked up to Toyota hybrid running gear...
With the ever-increasing emphasis on global warming and the impact that motor vehicles have on the environment, this year's Geneva auto show, much like the recent Detroit show, is featuring many vehicles that show that vehicles and the environment can co-exist in a friendly manner.
In the latest edition of broken news embargos, there are now images up on the Net of the production VW Scirocco. The car will debut at the Geneva auto show next week.
Probably most surprising, at least to me, is the front, as it looks very little like the concept that had been making the auto show rounds. And, as is often the case, I prefer the concept, at least from the front...
As the Geneva Auto Show looms large on the horizon, we've gotten a few teaser images of Giugiaro's Quaranta, which will debut there next week. The name "Quaranta" denotes the company's 40th anniversary, so you can bet that it will be something pretty special. Rumor has it that it will feature the latest in green technology.
Or so the saying goes; Maybach, an automaker arguably on the ropes, is pulling out all the stops as they've given a production okay for the Landaulet. A concept study was recently shown at the Detroit auto show.
What you see here is the Mitsubishi Prototype S, with the "S" standing for "Sportback." If you remember, Mitsubishi showed a Sportback concept (middle picture) before.
Remember? How could you forget, as that concept was drop-dead gorgeous!
Unfortunately, as concepts move from "concept" to "production," often something gets lost in the translation, as is the case here...
It sounds like we may be seeing some off-road-ready vehicles using hybrid power sometime in the future. At the recent NAIAS Jeep showed a hybrid Renegade (above) and Land Rover displayed their urban cruiser LR-X, both using hybrid power. In addition, the U.S. Army is developing a new diesel-electric ‘Alternative Mobility Vehicle’...
Audi will debut a new A4 Avant at the Geneva Auto Show. The mechanicals and vehicle content are pretty much as per the sedan. At launch, Audi will offer two gasoline engines and three diesel engines. These engines offer superior performance by more than 14 percent as compared to previous versions.
Images of the upcoming Volvo XC60 have found their way to the Net before the news embargo deadline. So, what else is new...
As per most new Volvos—no, make that all new Volvos, it's a handsome ride, and should do well for the brand. Rumored engines for Europe include a 285-hp 3.0 V6 and a 185-hp 2.4 turbo diesel...
Ford will become the second truckmaker, after Nissan, to offer a spray-in bedliner. Introduced at the Chicago Auto Show, this Tough Bed spray-in bedliner pretty much fell under the radar of most news outlets, and as such, is just now being reported.
Tough Bed will be an option on 2009 Ford Super Duty pickups, but I would think, will also eventually be offered on F-150s as well. This is such a good idea that I would expect other truckmakers to follow suit, now that Ford has jumped on board...
I've stated before that I think the Rolls-Royce Phantom has the most commanding presence of any car on the road. Forget Ferraris or any other exotic, as nothing can turn heads like this Roller. Now we have some official photos of the new Phantom Coupe, and it does nothing but further the image of this imposing vehicle.
Stickering for $400K, orders are already well into 2009 if not later for deliveries, proving that their clients are recession-proof. The car will debut at the Geneva auto show.
Finally there are images of the long awaited Fiat 500 Abarth up on the Net. The little buzz-bomb will debut at the Geneva Auto Show. No word yet on the mechanicals, but rest assured, they will full-bore spicy and very Italian. The hot rumor is to look for a 1.4L turbo, with possibly up to 150 hp...
I never thought that I would use the words "Morgan" and "Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Hybrid" in the same sentence, let alone being used as a linked thought. Wow. What's the world coming to? Morgan, a brand so steeped in history, and often thought to be stuck in the 1930s with wooden frames, is planning on a zero-emission vehicle, and one that's "still fun to drive."
The vehicle will be on display at the Geneva auto show...
Ford will be showing three new cars at Geneva: a Fiesta 3-door, a Focus Coupé-Cabriolet and an SUV called the Kuga.
The all new Fiesta3-door (top) will be a global car which combines stylish 'kinetic design' and a dynamic flair combined with traditional Ford strengths to deliver confident, contemporary, fun-to-drive package. A 115 PS Duratec 1.6-litre Ti-VCT gas engine joins Fiesta range. This is one of five fuel efficient and clean engines to power the new Fiesta...
For the first time anywhere, at least anywhere in terms of car shows, the New York Auto Show gives motorheads a chance to show their rides on a "Virtual Garage."
From the press release:
Show Launches First-of-its-kind Virtual Garage for Car Fans
The New York International Auto Show's Virtual Garage section of it its website launched today and is designed to give car enthusiasts around the world the chance to show-off images and videos of their own cars.
Virtual Garage members will be able to upload photos and video of their vehicles, enter their mini-bio and check-out other members’ cars and trucks, and email each other. All the vehicles are cross referenced so that, for example, a Mercedes or Ford owner can see which members have similar vehicles listed on the site.
“The beauty of the site is that it allows car enthusiasts to stay in touch with each other, and us, year round,"said show director Candida Romanelli...
Toyota is going to show a couple of production-ready small (as in really small) cars at Geneva.
The Urban Cruiser (top) is pretty much what it sounds like: a really small SUV, as in smaller than the RAV4, but playing it's family SUV heritage by using the "Cruiser" name. The iQ (bottom) is a cute-as-a-button baby car, just a tad longer and roomier than the Smart. Hmmm...
If you're a Volvo fan, and going to be in Germany this March you want to take a side trip over to the Essen Motor Show. On display there will be an exhibit called "Volvo cars - 80 years of serving society." As you might expect there will be Volvo models that represent the various models throughout the brand's history.
The show runs from March 26 – 30. There's more info here at Volvo's newsroom site (here)...
Acura has just released an official photo of their new 2009 TSX. As you can see, and like the just announced RL, the styling is evolutionary in nature. So no surprises here—an speaking of surprises, are there any under the skin or inside? Don't know yet, as Acura hasn't tipped their hand here yet. Expect to see it debut at the New York auto show next month.
Inspired by the International D-Series of some 70 years back, this new hauler is sure to be the envy of those making coast-to-coast runs with 80,000 pounds or more in tow.
GMC will be showing this flex-fuel, 2-mode hybrid 4.9L V8 pickup concept at the Chicago auto show.
As we all know SUVs have been getting serious makeover in that many (most!) are now adapting many car-like engineering features (IRS, etc.), and now we're starting to see this occurring also on pickups. Well, concept pickups that is—but, if you read between the lines here, you just know it won't be too long before some of these ideas will hit the showroom. In fact one already has: the Honda Ridgeline—and I expect more to follow...
Mitsubishi will use the Chicago Auto Show to introduce their "freshened" 2009 Eclipse. The 3.8 V6 engine gets bumped up to 265 horsepower / 262 pound-feet of torque, as well as getting a few other tweaks. It can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic with manual shift control.
I'm sure it's all well and good, but I find it a bit ironic that Mitsubishi's "sport coupe" to be less exciting than their EVO "sedan." Anyone else agree?
The New York Auto Show, the last big show of the North American continent, will have Suzuki showing their latest version of the Kizashi concept, but this time with a V8 possibly stuffed under the hood.
According to Motor Authority, who is reporting this story, Suzuki has green-lighted the earlier shown Kizashi concept. Perhaps better stated the car has been slated for further development, ultimately meaning it's headed for production, in which a V8 could well be part of the package.
The car manufacturer Funke & Will AG, headquartered near Dresden, Germany, will be bringing over their stunning YES! 3.2 roadster.
Now imagine a 2200 pound roadster powered by a VW 3.2L V6, both naturally aspirated and in turbo formats, and you too will scream YES!
The base model will be generating 255hp and go 0 – 60 mph in 4.8s. The Turbo gets another 100hp, and will do 0 – 60 mph in 3.8s, despite gaining 40kg (88lb) in the process...
In the latest episode of embargo-gate, there is now an image of the new Frontier-based Suzuki Equator up on the Net. The image was first provided by Truck Trend, and is now all over the Internet. An even better image arrived today thanks to Mike Levine over at PickupTruck.com.
As much as I hate badge-engineered vehicles, I have to say from the front this looks pretty good...
There have been rumors of an upcoming Lancer hatch for sometime. In fact Straightline did a blog not long ago that pictured just such a car (Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart a-comin'). Now there's more news/rumors about this vehicle up on the Net. According to Carscoop, the car will appear at the upcoming Geneva auto show...
I spent the afternoon at the DC auto show. If you're in the area, it's worth going to, as a number of Detroit model debuts were also there. Here are the ones that I remember:
2009 Dodge Ram Looks pretty good in person. The one on display was a Quad Cab...
Not sure if this image is the real deal or just a Photoshop effort, but either way, it gives you a pretty good idea as to what to expect. It's a Holden Crewman Ute, that has been GMC-ized. The concept will be on display at the New York Auto Show, so says GM's Bob Lutz.
“It is very tough looking, with a sport-utility look that is very low, very aggressive looking, a blend between a sport utility and the classic Australian four-door Ute,” states Lutz...
The hoopla is now past, and we can now digest all the "new and wonderful" stuff automakers threw at us last week. Is it all as great as they, the automakers, would lead you to believe? Well, AutoObserver has done much of the work here for you with their reflections of the show.
Actually, there are two editorials from AO on this—and they don't agree on everything...
You can add the Chinese to the list of countries with weird concepts, and even weirder names. I present you with the Detroit Fish. I guess because it was shown in Detroit and it's an amphibious people carrier. It can be seen at the Detroit (of course) Auto Show...
The Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Edition sort of slipped under the radar of most reporters at Detroit, as there wasn't a big deal made of it. Either that or most probably figured it was just another specially-prepped show car.
It's basically a designer edition hardcore off-roader—an oxymoron if ever there was one! How it differs from your basic FJ, is as follows:
First off, it comes with a white roof and body with black trim pieces...
The Mugen Honda Fit F154SC is a pocket rocket that I could easily see in my garage, even if it is FWD and not AWD. As per other Mugens, it's a Honda that's been put on fast-forward.
The 1.5 engine has been supercharged, and now gives off 150 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque. It has the obligatory Mugen aero enhancements with the fenders getting STI-like blisters with exit scoops (front and rear) on the trailing edges, that surround some rather meaty tires...
VW has announced that their new Routan minivan will debut at the Chicago Auto Show.
Never heard of a "Routan," you say? Well, it's a byproduct of a VW-Chrysler get together. Chrysler's done the heavy lifting here, with VW sprinkling some people's car fairy dust upon it...
If you are in the Detroit area and will be attending the show the week of January 21, join Edmunds/Inside Line editors for a walking tour of the show. Kick some tires with us, hear what we think of the headliner vehicles on the floor, tell us what you think, and ask any questions you have. Come on along on one of these informal strolling chats around the new production and concept cars at the Detroit show. Look for the Edmunds/Inside Line booth in Cobo Center's entry hallway, right at the Jou Louis statue, and sign up for a walking tour...
AutoObserver has an interesting blog up on American automobile design; surely no coincidence, as the NAIAS is now in full bloom.
I think it's also relevant that so many of the comments from followers of these blogs are centered on styling. A few quotes:
Peter Horbury, the British-born Executive Director of Design, North America for Ford Motor Company: “Design is a direct reflection of the culture and society, and America is the most optimistic place on earth. People came here to succeed, and so there is a strong sense of bravado and openness to the designs.”
Ian Callum, Jaguar Cars Ltd.’s Scottish-born Director of Design: “Everything is just slightly exaggerated in America and I think it’s down to the geography of the country...
This Subaru Legacy STI concept was recently shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon. The suspension has been given the STI treatment. It sports 235/40x18 tires on 18x18 rims, and has a 276+ hp 2.5 twin-scroll turbo hooked up to a 6-speed manual. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first application of "twin-scroll turbo" using the 2.5 engine; the 2.0 turbo has had this feature for some time...
General Motors Vice President Global Design Ed Welburn stands with the Buick Riviera concept as it makes its North American debut in conjunction with the North American International Show Thursday, January 10, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The Riviera nameplate returns after an eight-year hiatus. It was developed with global design input by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, a design and engineering joint venture between GM and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.
Tata introduced the much anticipated Nano, which will go on sale later this year for $2,500, and by doing so, will make it the world's cheapest car.
Powered by a 34 horsepower 623cc aluminum twin-cylinder engine placed in the rear, Tata claims 50 mpg from this microcar. The engine meets Euro III emissions standards, which are about three to four years behind current European regulations. As to safety, it meets Indian full-frontal crash tests. There are no airbags.
So it looks like Tata is stealing the "People's Car" name from VW. And, like the Model T Ford a century earlier here in America, could put India on wheels.
The Indian auto market, like the Chinese auto market, is pretty new to me, and probably to you too. So in reporting on this show, I consider it mostly as a learning experience.
Oh, sure, We've heard of many of the brand names sold over there, but less so of the model lines offered. However, understanding as to where they all fit in locally, and potentially on the international stage, is at the moment somewhat of a puzzle for myself and most Westerners...
What you see here is the car Subaru was hoping would never come about: the 2009 Mitsubishi Ralliart . I say bring it on—because, if anything, this will keep Subaru WRX marketing people on their toes, and hopefully speed up the rumored and upgraded WRX v.2.1...
So far this is what is rumored about the Ralliart:
* Available 5 Speed Manual or SST • Recaro Front Seats • AWD • Turbo, 230-240 HP est. • GTS Rims • Available Navi system
So it looks like we will soon have a battle brewing between the WRX and this new Ralliart, just like that currently between the STI and EVO...
