Straightline
New York Auto Show
July 4, 2008
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.
Full story here.
March 21, 2008
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...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland March 21, 2008, 6:45 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, Ford, Minivans, New York Auto Show, Trucks
March 20, 2008
Tucked in a far corner of the New York auto show is this rare Chrysler Thunderbolt. It's an early concept car from an era when life-size concept cars were not common. Alex Tremulis was one of the designers, notable because he was responsible for the Tucker -- there are clearly similarities. Tremulis also worked with American Bantam and Crosley earlier...
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- Posted by: Brian Moody March 20, 2008, 2:05 PM
- Categories: Chrysler, Classic Cars, New York Auto Show
Now that lithium-ion batteries exist, manufacturers are willing to take the risk of actually letting people drive all-electric cars. Forty Subaru R1e hatchbacks are motoring around Tokyo as we speak, as part of a partnership with the Tokyo Electric Power Company. Today in New York, Subaru announced it's giving two of these tiny, electric-powered subcompacts to the New York Power Authority.
Obviously, this is not a money-making venture, and so Subaru didn't even bother to change the front fascia on the R1e, even though it's the memorable snout from the last of the previous-generation Imprezas. Actually, the company didn't even bother to make a left-hand-drive version.
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- Posted by: Erin Riches March 20, 2008, 11:50 AM
- Categories: Green Tech, New York Auto Show, Subaru
With the unveiling of the Kizashi 3 concept car, the Kizashi period at Suzuki is finally nearing an end. Sort of.
The whole thing started at Frankfurt with the unveiling of the Kizashi concept -- a not-at-all-unpleasant-looking red four-door hatchback. This was followed (predictably) by the largely pointless and fussy-looking four-door hatch Kizashi 2 concept at the Tokyo auto show...
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- Posted by: Daniel Pund March 20, 2008, 9:50 AM
- Categories: New York Auto Show, Suzuki
Kia wants to be the sporty half of the Hyundai-Kia alliance, but that just hasn't come through in any of the brand's production cars. That might change if the Kia Koup concept goes into production, and it almost certainly will: "This is a production-ready design that could find its way into the Kia lineup and perhaps sooner than one might think," said Tom Kearns, chief designer for Kia Motors America (and owner of a '71 Porsche 911 S). When we do see it, expect "Spectra" to be part of its name, as the Koup is built on the company's front-drive, C-segment platform.
It comes straight out of Kia's new Irvine design studio, so it's no surprise to see styling cues borrowed from cars like the Honda Civic coupe and Scion tC. There's also some early '80s Lotus Esprit in there, as the lead designer, Kurt Kahl, bought one just before starting in on this 10-month project. The very angular look of the wedge-shaped coupe is quite intentional. As Hyundai goes for more organic designs (i.e., Genesis coupe), Kia will use harder lines to differentiate itself.
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- Posted by: Erin Riches March 20, 2008, 8:23 AM
- Categories: Coupes, Kia, New York Auto Show
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
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- Posted by: March 20, 2008, 5:59 AM
- Categories: New York Auto Show, Porsche
March 19, 2008
By now you know that today's the day Hyundai introduced the much-anticipated Genesis coupe at the 2008 New York Auto Show. The official announcement is that the rear-wheel-drive 2+2 will be available in three flavors: Base, SE with a turbo four-cylinder and SE with V6 power.
But we've also learned that Hyundai is thinking about a fourth model called the Spec R. (Maybe it's still working on the name.) It'll be a tuner special with the SE's four-cylinder turbo power, six-speed manual transmission and Brembo brakes, but little else...
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- Posted by: March 19, 2008, 3:47 PM
- Categories: Hyundai, New York Auto Show
The 2009 Nissan Maxima had the distinction of being only the third vehicle shown today that had been tuned on the Nurburgring. It's the default indicator of a performance car these days and given that "the four-door sports car is back," according to Nissan, we should have expected the reference.
What we didn't expect was Nissan's other announcement. After extolling the virtues of the Maxima's 290-horsepower V6, Al Castignetti, general manager of Nissan North America, went to the green card. He talked about the need for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles that younger buyers could embrace with enthusiasm...
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig March 19, 2008, 2:23 PM
- Categories: New York Auto Show, Nissan, Sedans
Whether you think it's massively cool or just as far down on the ugly spectrum, the Scion Hako coupe concept was one of the most unusual and interesting-looking cars unveiled at New York's Javits Center today.
Actually, Jack Hollis, Scion vice president, is kind of hoping you won't like it. "If you think it's ugly, great. That's perfect. As you know, polarizing style fits in well with our lineup."
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- Posted by: Erin Riches March 19, 2008, 1:50 PM
- Categories: Coupes, Hatchbacks, New York Auto Show, Scion
Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?
Ferrari has taken a decidedly low-key approach to its stand at the New York auto show...
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- Posted by: Daniel Pund March 19, 2008, 1:36 PM
- Categories: Ferrari, New York Auto Show
And now it can be revealed. The new black is, um, black.
Chrome wheels have been over for many years, if not forever. (Are you listening, GM?) Even sporty matte anthracite rims are looking a little dated these days. What you need, you man, are jet-black wheels -- glossy painted black wheels...
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- Posted by: Daniel Pund March 19, 2008, 1:10 PM
- Categories: Lamborghini, New York Auto Show
Honda didn’t feel the need to make a fuss over the debut of the 2009 Fit today. No flashy displays, no weird dancers, not even throbbing music accompanied its unveil. Instead, Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda, pretty much got up and read the press kit off a teleprompter. More room, more power, cleaner emissions, blah, blah, blah...
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig March 19, 2008, 12:08 PM
- Categories: Hatchbacks, Honda, New York Auto Show
In an ideal world, the new version of every sports sedan would be lighter and more powerful than the generation it replaces. But we're realists. We'll take one or the other.
What we generally do not like is when the new version of a sports sedan is heavier and less powerful...
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- Posted by: Daniel Pund March 19, 2008, 9:46 AM
- Categories: Acura, New York Auto Show
It makes sense that Pontiac should produce a coupe version of the Solstice. It was a sketch of a coupe that designer Franz von Holzhausen sent to Bob Lutz when the then-new product honcho solicited design ideas for a Pontiac two-seater.
The coupe looked better back then and it still looks better now as the company works toward getting it into Pontiac dealers early next year. Much of the character of the original coupe concept has been retained, including the odd but interestingly shaped backlight...
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- Posted by: Daniel Pund March 19, 2008, 9:16 AM
- Categories: New York Auto Show, Pontiac
If Bluetec was upstaged by Sheryl Crow last night, Mercedes-Benz officials were resolutely on-message today. At no point was diesel ever not part of the discussion at this morning's press conference at New York's Javits Center. "At Mercedes we believe that Bluetec and soon Bluetec hybrids will keep the luxury SUV alive and kicking," Ernst Lieb, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, told the crowd.
Accordingly, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class has license to get a little more adventurous with its styling. "The updated M-Class appears even more confident," Lieb noted, pointing out the larger, more unsettling front fascia on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec next to him.
On the way up to the stage, we passed by a 2009 Mercedes ML63 AMG, which takes the aggression even further.
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- Posted by: Erin Riches March 19, 2008, 8:12 AM
- Categories: Diesels, Mercedes-Benz, New York Auto Show, SUVs
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."
-- Kevin Smith, Edmunds.com Editorial Director
Here's AutoObserver's take: Chrysler's Nardelli: Private Equity Can Re-Build Chrysler
Here's Inside Line's take: 2008 New York Auto Show: Chrysler's Nardelli Channels Bob Lutz in Rousing Speech
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- Posted by: Bob Holland March 19, 2008, 7:05 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, New York Auto Show
March 18, 2008
On the eve of the 2008 New York Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz revealed its three 50-state-legal Bluetec diesel trucks at an event that could only be described as, well, loud.
Sure the three V6-diesel-powered trucks (GL, ML and R) were in attendance. But really, they were the sideshow. On center stage was Sheryl Crow and her acoustic guitar...
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- Posted by: Daniel Pund March 18, 2008, 10:54 PM
- Categories: Mercedes-Benz, New York Auto Show
Just before the New York auto show officially gets under way, Grammy award-winning rap artist Common makes an appearance at a special Sirius Satellite Radio party. Hosted by Lincoln at the Sirius studios in New York, the event showcases the new Travel Link navigation system that includes weather, traffic, ski conditions and a new interface for the radio functions. It will soon show up in Ford and Lincoln products. But this event is really just a party, so there's little talk of sales numbers or future products -- instead, a Common performance...
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- Posted by: Brian Moody March 18, 2008, 4:48 PM
- Categories: Car Tech, Lincoln, New York Auto Show
March 16, 2008
Although its official unveil is scheduled for the 2008 New York Auto Show later this week, photos of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis Coupe have already leaked out. No big surprises here as it looks much like the Genesis coupe concept shown at the Los Angeles auto show late last year. Look for full details in our show coverage from New York starting Wednesday.
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig March 16, 2008, 3:55 PM
- Categories: Coupes, Hyundai, New York Auto Show
March 15, 2008
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...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland March 15, 2008, 8:46 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, New York Auto Show, Pontiac, Sedans
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...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland March 15, 2008, 7:33 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, New York Auto Show, Pontiac, Trucks
March 12, 2008
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?
March 6, 2008
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...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland March 6, 2008, 8:33 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, New York Auto Show, Sedans, Suzuki
February 14, 2008
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...
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- Posted by: Bob Holland February 14, 2008, 8:09 AM
- Categories: All Auto Shows, New York Auto Show
February 13, 2008
The first image and info on the 2009 Acura TSX was released last week, and now, thanks to widespread leaks on numerous webpages, we can bring you the full specs on the Acura’s entry-level sedan. Unfortunately, the new info doesn’t give Acura fans much to get excited about as the TSX will continue to use a 2.4-liter four-cylinder hooked to either a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual.
The basic dimensions of the car are up slightly in all directions and the suspension still consists of dual wishbones up front and a multilink setup in back. New two-stage dampers are the only major change...
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig February 13, 2008, 4:10 PM
- Categories: Acura, New York Auto Show, Sedans
February 11, 2008
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.
Here's Inside Line's take: Official Photo: 2009 Acura TSX
UPDATE: Honda also releases info and images of the Euro-Accord. Images and link after the jump.
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