At first, this prototype for the next-generation Porsche 911 didn't look like much. In fact, it didn't even look like a new test mule given all the 997-series bodywork. But look closer and it's clear there are a few changes to this prototype that aren't on the current model.
Most notable is the "double bubble" roof, although in this case it's less like individual bubbles and more like a dent in the middle. Also note the covered tail section and revised rear bumper. Hard to tell what's going on back there, but clearly some changes are in store as nearly every prototype we've seen has featured similar camouflage.
Official-looking photos of the upcoming 2010 BMW X1 have found their way to the internet and they do little to resolve the debate surrounding why this vehicle exists. Essentially a crossover version of the BMW X3, which is also a crossover, the X1 appears to have even less space and more tepid performance. Sound good to you?
This is one of the dyno rooms at the AMG's headquarters in Affalterbach, Germany. Strapped to the stand on this particular occasion was the 6.3-liter V8 headed for duty in the upcoming SLS gullwing coupe. It's expected to generate 571-horsepower and 507 pound-feet of torque when it goes into production early next year.
According to our editor on the scene, AMG puts all of its engines through a test procedure that includes 800 hours of wide-open throttle operation, pausing only to sample the oil and change dynamometer operators every 20 hours. Yes, that's over a month of full throttle operation before the engine is signed off. That should make anyone who drives an AMG vehicle a little less squeamish about hitting the redline every once in awhile.
With the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe already on the way, a convertible version was all but inevitable. Although it's not that hard to imagine what that convertible will look like, these latest spy shots spell it all out for you.
Most of the design cues revealed here are fairly conventional with a soft top, hard cover and a small wind deflector between the rear seats. As the test car got underway, however, our photographers noticed an additional feature that the current CLK cabriolet lacks.
As you can see, what looks to be an auxiliary wind deflector has been placed at the top of the windshield. We assume it bumps the airflow that much higher to keep it off precious bouffants behind the wheel. We assume it works too, as the Germans wouldn't dare use all their technical know how to develop a mere toy, right? First Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
Like most automakers, BMW maintains a design studio in Southern California. It's tucked away in the Los Angeles suburb of Newbury Park, so few in the area know it even exists. It's cranked out numerous car designs over the years and its former head, Adrian Van Hooydonk is now the head of BMW design in Germany.
Unlike most satellite design studios, however, BMW Designworks also does contract work for companies outside the automotive industry. Boats, planes, coffee makers, you name a consumer product and Designworks probably has a drawing of it on the walls somewhere. Most of those drawing are rarely seen, but BMW has just posted an in-depth tour of the facility that gives a pretty detailed look at how the studio functions.
There's some good insight into the world of design and how BMW sees its place within that world. If anything, the series might give you a little background on some of the company's more controversial designs and how they made it through the design process.
What? This seems odd to you? A British luxury sports car builder embarking on a program to develop a small, awkward looking city car?
Well, welcome to the world of corporate average fuel economy (CAFE), a U.S. regulation that now says cars and trucks must meet a combined average of 35.5mpg by 2016. Given that the most fuel efficient model in Aston's lineup doesn't even get 20mpg on the highway, the company is clearly going to need some help to prop up its average.
Enter the Toyota iQ citycar, a pint-sized two-seater (there are rear "seats", but few humans could use them as such) that boasts mileage in the 55-60mpg range. Aston Martin intends to use the iQ as the basis for what it will call the Cygnet. Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez says now is the time for Aston to embark on such a project.
"Much work is still required, but I am confident that this project could become reality in the not too distant future. This concept - akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht - will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market," said Bez.
According to a Aston Martin spokesperson, the Cygnet won't be sold on the open market. Instead, only those who already own an Aston Martin will be able to purchase the vehicle, sort of like an errand car to use when you want to downplay your conspicuous consumption.
Guess it's only a matter of time until we see a Porsche version of the Volkwagen Up! too.
It's the car that might make the whole Fiat/Chrysler deal make sense. Maybe. Contributor Matt Davis says the 2010 Fiat 500C is a faithful recreation of the original, right down to the folding top that maintains the coupe's roof structure. It's not fast or particularly sporty, but it'll sell on image alone says Davis.
There's really only one real stumbling block to U.S. sales at this point: finding a way to make a profit on it. Yeah, that little detail always seems to get in the way when it comes to the U.S. and don't think for a minute that Sergio Marchionne is going to send it over as a loss leader to put Fiat back on the American map. We'll know in a couple years time.
Following on the heels of yesterday's leaked photos of the new M Sport package for the BMW 7 Series comes an official announcement from BMW. In addition to the new M Sport package, the 2010 7 Series will add two new diesel options (in Europe, of course) as well as optional all-wheel drive.
As we predicted, the M Sport package is essentially a cosmetic upgrade that includes revised front and rear fascias, shadowline trim and new double-spoke wheels. There's also an exclusive new Carbon Black Metallic color available with the package along with a few interior upgrades.
The 740d and 730d models are for Europe only at this point, but given the 730d's low-emissions profile, it could theoretically make it to the U.S. Such a move would have been unheard of before, but new fuel economy rules may force BMW to start offering the big 7 with smaller, more efficient power plants.
And finally, there's the addition of BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system. It will be available on both long- and short-wheelbase versions of the 750i and is essentially the same system already found in the 3 and 5 Series sedans.
The ever elusive BMW M7 has yet to surface, so for now you'll have to be satisfied with a Motorsport appearance package. We have yet to see any official mention of the upcoming option, but these recently unearthed photos appear to show what such a sedan might look like.
Unlike the real M-cars, the M Sport package isn't expected to add much in the way of performance. A slightly more aggressive set of tires and wheels may help a little, but we would be surprised to see any actual horsepower upgrades. If anything, the new package will reinstate BMW's reputation as a designer of interesting factory wheels. Looking at the current 7 Series sport wheels, we weren't sure the company had it in it anymore.
Just before last year's SEMA show, Ford gave us an early look at the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor, a dedicated desert race truck that will go on sale in August. It was an impressive piece, far more extreme that we ever expected.
Once the production model was finalized, the SVT group decided it needed to do a little more durability testing, so it built a slightly more extreme version of the Raptor and entered it into the Baja 1000. "Born in Baja" is a feature-length film that traces the Raptor R race truck from concept to competitor.
We saw it last night at the official Hollywood premiere and, much like the truck itself, we were surprised how well it turned out. There's a great mix of behind the scenes background along with plenty of actual race footage. And yes, there's plenty of love given to Ford and the F-150, but it's not so over the top that you can't enjoy the rest of the action.
A shortened television version will air on the SPEED channel Sunday, July 12, at 4 p.m. EST with additional dates to be added later.
It doesn't open in the U.S. until tomorrow, but Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen is already an IMAX hit internationally. The movie grossed $510,000 over the weekend after playing on just 10 screens. Expect to see monster worldwide numbers in the coming weeks.
It's taken Porsche a long time to get to this point, but we all knew it was coming. The Panamera sedan is finally here and our Senior Road Test Editor Josh Jacquot just returned from Germany where he drove all three versions.
Not surprisingly, he found them all plenty fast and surprisingly nimble. A four-door 911 it is not, but it will more than hold its own against any other sedan in its class. And it's comfortable too, up front and in back.
The only question left now is whether or not luxury sedan buyers will accept this new sedan as a true Porsche. Given their response to the Cayenne SUV, we're betting they won't have a problem with the Panamera sedan. Video after the jump.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced today the first installment of loans to promote clean energy. A total of $8B will be handed out to Ford, Nissan and Tesla in hopes of jump starting efforts to produce electric vehicles as well as cleaner internal combustion drivetrains.
Ford will receive $5.9B to to "help finance numerous engineering advances to traditional internal combustion engines and electrified vehicles." The money will also be used to convert two trucks plants into car plants.
Nissan is getting $1.6B to help defray the costs of producing an electric car and battery packs at its Smyrna, Tenn. manufacturing plant.
And finally, Tesla will receive $465M to help develop and build its Model S sedan as well as the production of battery packs in a separate facility.
For the record, GM and Chrysler were not eligible for the program because of their bankruptcy filings. The loan program specifies that any company receiving money must first prove its viability as a stand alone company separate from the loans. How Tesla, which is currently not profitable, got around this provision isn't clear.
So what do you think? Is this a good way to spend federal stimulus money?
Inside Line has confirmed that the upcoming Audi R8 Convertible will appear in the sequel to Iron Man due out next May. Spotted on the Nurburgring almost a year ago, the soft-top version of the Audi R8 is expected to make its official world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show in September.
General Motors held a webchat session this morning with Troy Clarke, President of GM North America. He attempted to address several issues, but as you might expect most of his answers were light on specifics and heavy on generalities and themes.
When one participant asked about Buick, Clarke said he was very confident that they would get the brand right. "I will tell you that you will be pleasantly surprised at the product line up we have for the new Buick. It will go places product wise we haven't gone with Buick before," Clarke said.
When asked about NUMMI, Clarke said GM has no plans to buy Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. "We are not in current discussions with Toyota on licensing their synergy drive. I would point out that we are working like crazy on our own hybrid technology. Also, we are really moving fast on the Volt of which you are well aware," Clarke said.
Other participants, many of which were clearly GM employees expressed frustration with the way GM was being handled. Clarke told him that he thought getting government assistance was the company's best chance of turning itself around. The full text is available at GM's Fastlane blog.
The next "revolutionary" green car manufacturer has popped up and this time it's the brainchild of former Oracle Corp. executive Ray Varasano.
It's called V-Vehicle, and is backed by a dream team of investors--former oilman T. Boone Pickens, former Mazda N.A. design chief Tom Matano and Fisker Automotive-investor Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers have all pumped money into the San Diego-based company.
Unlike Tesla's push for all-electric vehicles, V-Vehicle is looking to make either a more efficient gas powertrain or, considering Pickens is now a natural gas proponent, it might go the CNG route. The company was founded on the ideology that it will build a "high-quality, environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient car for the U.S. market."
V-Vehicle is planning to use a former GM headlight plant in Monroe, Louisiana to build its alternative cars. The plant underwent a $100 million revamp and will employ about 1,400 people from the bayou state.
For those that are interested in hearing more, you can head to the Louisiana Economic Development Web site and get some first-hand commentary from the major investors (keep in mind it's a Louisiana promotional video).
Looks like Tesla is going to have some well-funded competition in the coming years. Regardless of which company comes out on top, it's good to know it will be an American one.
The governor of Louisiana announced today that V-Vehicle Company, a San-Diego-based start up, has signed on to assemble "environmentally-friendly vehicles" in an vacant supplier plant. The Monroe, La. facility used to house operations for Guide Corporation, a major lighting supplier.
"Today, we are here to announce that through quick, aggressive action to pursue a transformative opportunity, we have a chance here in Louisiana to re-energize the entire U.S. auto industry. Indeed, this project also has the potential to transform the entire Monroe area, and this project could be a game changer for the economy of Northeast Louisiana," said Governor Bobby Jindal. Louisiana Economic Development: New American Car Company Will Make History In Louisiana
Among all the chatter about the upcoming Koenigsegg/Saab tie up was a report in a Swedish newspaper confirming the eventual production of the Quant electric concept first shown at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.
Like most concepts at the Geneva show, the Quant concept was light on hard numbers but big on promises. Koenigsegg said the Quant had over 500-hp, a range of 310 miles and a recharge time of just 20 minutes. Sounds great, but we're guessing the production model will be somewhat less powerful, have less range and require more than a short nap to fully recharge.
We've been hearing about Ecoboost for so long now that it's almost become cliche, like some annoying piece of automotive vaporware. Highlighted in one concept vehicle after another, the turbocharged Ecoboost promise of power and efficiency has only recently reared its ugly head in something we could actually drive.
That first Ecoboost experience was in the Lincoln MKT, a vehicle that needed everyone of those turbocharged horses to get its considerable mass going. This time Ecoboost is in something a little more managable, the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. It's not isn't exactly a small sedan, but its small enough to show off the 3.5-liter V6's 365-horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. Test Director Dan Edmunds ran the car through its paces to file our first even drive of Ford's new super sedan.
You know BMW was so dying to get Hasselhoff for this little teaser shot of the upcoming X1 SUV. Instead, they settled for some faceless blur in the background, which or course goes perfectly with the oddly blurred X1 that's seemingly gliding over the sand. Thankfully all the bikini-clad beach goers in the area were blissfully unaware of the approaching crossover SUV.
In a webchat yesterday with journalists, GM's CEO Fritz Henderson said he's not a fan of badge engineering, the practice of creating new models by simply changing the name and styling of a current vehicle.
Odd then that he sees a bright future for GMC, a division that is made up entirely of badge-engineered Chevrolets. According to Henderson, the upcoming GMC Terrain is an example of badge engineering done right as it's sufficiently differentiated from the Chevrolet Equionox.
Well, Fritz may be right that the Terrain doesn't necessarily look like the Equinox, but that doesn't change the fact that it will still compete against its Chevrolet counterpart. They're both the same size and feature the exact same drivetrains. Sure, not every town has both a Chevrolet and a GMC dealer, but isn't GM supposed to be doing things differently now?
Elon Musk's foot-in-mouth disease appears to be progressing. In an interview at the Disruptive by Design conference in Manhattan, he told Wired magazine Editor in Chief Chris Anderson that he would like a crack at running Detroit.
"When the mess gets sorted out, I'd like to have a conversation with whoever's in charge at the time -- the car czar or whoever -- and say 'I'd like to run your plants, if you don't mind,'" Musk said
Musk probably thinks he can bring all sorts of "Silicon Valley efficiencies" to big auto plants, but he's about two decades behind in that regard. And let's face it, Musk has yet to build a single car on his own yet, so his ability to run even one auto plant is questionable.
Speaking of which, it's been nearly three months since Tesla announced that it was close to securing a site for the production of its Model S Concept car. It's been radio silence on that front since. Not a good sign given that Tesla is still telling people that the Model S will begin production in late 2011.
And for the record, despite the Wired headline, Elon Musk had nothing to do with the founding of Tesla Motors.
Did you see the new Buick commercials that aired during this weekend's NBA title game? They implored viewers to "take a look at me now" as if Buick was some middle-aged housewife fresh out of plastic surgery.
GM's junior luxury division is going to need more than snappier commercials to get attention and according to a GM fan site a hybrid might be its next attempt to gain some recognition.
GM-volt.com says that the two-mode plug-in hybrid system developed for the Saturn Vue may make its way into a new Buick compact crossover. A CBS news report is thought to have revealed a glimpse of the upcoming sport utility and not surprisingly it looked like a downsized Enclave.
Since Lexus hasn't bothered to build an IS-F convertible yet, we went ahead and did it for them. Doesn't look bad, although we'll admit it chances of arriving at dealers soon is pretty slim. Would you be interested?
Sources in Japan have unearthed a few new details on the production version of the upcoming Lexus LF-A supercar. Yeah, you know the car that seems to only exist on autoshow stands and the Nurburgring?
Well, it's back on again and should make yet another auto show appearance in its finalized form at this year's Tokyo auto show in October. The attached rendering is based on both the recent Nurburgring prototype and additional details from an inside source at Holiday Auto, a prominent Japanese car magazine.
Our own insider also adds that of the 500 units destined for production, 350 of them will be left-hand drive. All LF-As will get 6-piston calipers with carbon ceramic brake rotors, titanium mufflers, run flat Bridgestone tires and a six-speed automatic sequential gearbox.
We heard it was coming, but we didn't think it would look quite like this. This 2010 Honda Accord hatch, or Crosshatch, or whatever it's going to be called was spotted on a trip through Las Vegas.
It was probably on its way to Death Valley for some last minute hot weather testing before it goes on sale later this year. No doubt designed to take on the Toyota Venza in the "cool wagon" category, this Accord hatchback is more carlike than even the Venza. Fine if that's what you're into, but we kind of prefer the real Accord wagon that Europe gets. We'll see how this version goes over in the States soon enough.
Have you ever wondered why firemen, paramedics and even mailmen have special purpose-built vehicles, when police are stuck in your Grandma's souped up Crown Vic?
Well, Carbon Motors set out to change that, and has already received over 10,000 requests for one of its E7 copmobiles. They're loaded with high-tech gadgetry like a radiation sensor (if you happen to be around a WMD), night vision cameras, an automatic license plate recognition system, a waterproof back seat and a diesel engine that generates 300 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. You can check out the full specs sheet here.
Don't plan on seeing one of these bad boys in your rear-view anytime soon -- production isn't slated to start until 2012.
International forecasting firm IHS Global Insight has released a detailed report on how it thinks the Chrysler/Fiat alliance will shake out over the new few years.
Bentley has released this teaser image of its new flagship due this summer. A replacement for the ancient Arnage, this vehicle will slot above the Continental series in Bentley's lineup.
That's about all those crafty Brits were willing to say at this point, so we'll have to wait another month or so to get full details.
In a recent interview with the Washington Post, former GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz reiterated his assertion that the demand for green vehicles is still relatively low.
"When you get out into the marketplace, it's probably just 5 percent of the public that desperately wants something environmentally sound and is willing to pay a premium for it," he said in the interview.
According to a report in Automotive News, Tata hopes to sell the ultra cheap Nano in the U.S. by 2012.
Speaking to a panel at the Cornell Global Forum on Sustainable Global Enterprise, Chairman Rattan Tata said he expects to meet all U.S. crash and emissions standards with the Nano within two years.
Mr. Tata is a man of vast resources, but getting a Nano to pass U.S. vehicle requirements is going to be a monumental task. A version is planned for Europe in 2011 is expected to cost around $2,300, a U.S. version would probably be slightly more.
Earlier we thrilled you with footage of the i-MiEV electric car in action. Now Mitsubishi has gone one step further and announced an official on-sale date for its upcoming eco-car.
Fleet sales will start in Japan this July with about 1,400 vehicles slated for leases to corporations and local authorities. Starting in April 2010, Mitsubishi plans to begin leasing the i-MiEV to the public.
In case you've missed the Mitsubishi i MiEV at the half-dozen auto shows it has graced over the last several years, it's an all-electric car that the company has been developing with full production in mind. It's expected to go into fleet use this summer and Mitsubishi has said that it plans worldwide consumer sales shortly thereafter.
In a bid to shore up confidence in its pint-size crossover thing, Mitsubishi has released this video of the vehicle undergoing various reliability tests. You've got your "high speed" oval run, slalom test, rough road test and even a deep water crossing.
According to Auto Express, Jaguar is currently working on a mid-price roadster that will be known as the C-Type when it arrives in 2012. Designed to go head-to-head with the Audi TT, BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster, the C-Type will most likely offer both V6 and V8 engines. Inside Line News: Jaguar C-Type in the Pipeline for 2012
Ignore the trippy camo for a minute and you can just make out the face-lifted 2011 Ford Edge.
Due around this time next year, the second-generation Edge looks as though it's sticking with Ford's "bold" theme a little longer. This prototype features a thicker two-bar grille up front and projector headlights that make it look like the love-child of a Taurus X and 5-Series BMW. The front bumper also has a sportier look that will fit in nicely among Ford's latest designs like the 2010 Fusion.
The clear-lens look of the rear lamps will survive the transition to the updated model, although the pattern is slightly different. A big dual exhaust sticking out behind the rear bumper screams "EcoBoost" and we expect some variation of the new 3.5-liter twin turbo V6 in this version of the Edge. Also look for the possibility of a new four-cylinder powerplant as Ford looks to improve its fleet average in the face of tougher federal CAFÉ requirements.
Now that Tesla has backing from Daimler, it's moving aggressively towards an expanded lineup and more affordable models. At least that's what company CEO Elon Musk told Green Car Advisor.
Musk (pictured) said that in addition to the Smart EV, "there is also another major vehicle program that we will be doing with Daimler and that was part of the investment deal and would also fit into the 'everyman' category."
Good to see that Tesla is aiming to bring down the price of its electric cars, but given how much work it has left to do on the Model S, it seems a little premature to be thinking about additional cars down the road.
After signing off from the Tonight Show last week, Jay Leno figured he would have a weekend of doing nothing but playing with his cars. Which of course made this past weekend no different than any other weekend for Jay. This time, however, he pulled out one of his more interesting and rare toys: the EcoJet, turbine-powered concept.
You might remember the EcoJet concept from the 2006 SEMA show. It uses a 650-horsepower Honeywell turbine for power and runs on biodiesel, lots and lots of biodiesel. Underneath, there's an all-aluminum Corvette Z06 chassis, while the body of the EcoJet is made entirely of carbon fiber and kevlar. In other words, this sucker was expensive.
We'll hand it to Jay though, he said back then that he would drive it on public roads, and yesterday he delivered on that promise. And say what you will about the design, when this thing pulled into the parking lot with its turbine wailing, all the open-piped Cobras on hand suddenly seemed quite tame.
This is the 2011 Ford Fiesta sedan, at least in prototype form. Not surprisingly, it looks very much like the Fiesta concept sedan shown at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Back then it was known as the Verve and it wasn't a bad looking little car.
It still looks better than most compact sedans, but we hope that Ford does the right thing and offers the hatchback too. It's a much more compelling car even if it's a given that the sedan would sell better.
This is the long-rumored Honda hatchback/crossover/wagon thing. As you can see, it was shot by one Mr. M. Balisky, apparently while he was vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains, one of America's most popular national parks.
We're guessing it won't be quite so popular with Honda engineers from now on, as they've done a pretty good job of keeping the lid on this new model up to this point. Most speculation points to a fall debut for this variation of the Accord, but as usual Honda is saying much for now.
A report in the German press of an all-electric Audi R8 appears to be a little optimistic. Auto Motor und Sport claimed that the alt-power R8 would appear alongside the R8 convertible at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show.
When we contacted Audi to confirm the story, a spokesman gave us a much different and very precise answer: "Nope, not true."
So at this point, it depends on who you believe, but we won't be expecting anything more than the convertible in Frankfurt at this point.
A source has told Inside Line news that the latest version of the Lexus LF-A production car is now capable of hitting 220mph. Toyota engineers has previously expressed disappointment with the top speed of the earlier LF-A prototypes.
Changes to the car's aerodynamics and a few engine upgrades were largely responsible for the increased speeds. The same source also said that the final production car is expected to arrive at the Tokyo auto show in October with a price tag between $220,000 and $250,000.
For the first time in nearly two years, the average price of diesel fuel has fallen below regular gas. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), it's a "traditional" spring inversion that occurs in the U.S., but there's no doubt that BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen will try to take advantage of the new pricing structure.
All three automakers took the plunge and introduced new diesel models in the last year, but apart from strong sales of Volkswagen's TDI cars, sales have been disappointing. As Bill Visnic points out on AutoObserver, several other manufacturers had diesel programs in the works, but shelved them when got prices plunged.
Now that prices have evened out, and stricter CAFE regulations are on the way, there are some incentives to get those programs moving again. Hard to tell if consumers would respnod at this point, but it seems like it's worth another try given refined and quiet modern diesel engines have become.
We've had our doubts about this whole Fiesta movement thing. It was a brilliant marketing plan as giveaways tend to be, but unless someone is going to try and jump the Snake River in one who cares what the winners do with them?
Don't worry, Ford created reasons to care. Ploy number one: pretend a Fiesta was stolen. Oh the humanity.
It was a slightly amusing story right up until the car's owner spotted the car sitting in a local impound yard. So theoretically, the thieves could have stolen the car, parked at the curb to get some post GTA cheeseburgers and forgotten to feed the meter. Or it's all crap.
Mahindra and Mahindra has once again delayed the introduction of its compact pickup truck in the States. The company now says it will introduce the truck sometime in 2010.
The Indian company originally planned to build the truck in a plant in Ohio, but it now says it will import fully assembled trucks from India. Even with the so-called 25% "chicken tax" on imported trucks, Mahindra says it's still cheaper than getting a U.S. plant ready for production.
The Mahindra pickup is expected to use a 2.2-liter diesel engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission and sell for $22,000 to $25,000.
UPDATE: Mahindra spokesman Mike Geylin says the original report misquoted the company's representative. The company is still planning to start sales of its compact truck later this year in select markets.
We showed you a few pictures of the 2010 BMW 5 Series GT earlier, and now we have the full release on BMW's oddly-shaped people mover. Most of the details were expected, but there are a few surprises.
Most notable is the introduction of an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. With a direct drive sixth gear and two overdrive gears, it should give the 550i GT decent mileage even with its 4.4-liter, twin turbo V8.
Another first, at least on a U.S. model, is a regenerative braking system. It allows the alternator to cycle on and off which reduces load on the engine and theoretically saves gas. The 5 Series GT is still a huge vehicle though, so don't expect impressive mileage numbers.
Although it's labeled as a 5 Series, the GT borrows heavily from the 7 Series when it comes to its suspension setup. The GT adopts essentially the same three-link setup up front and the 7's multilink configuration in back. BMW's integral Active Steering is also featured on the GT so the rear wheels are capable of turning up to 3 degrees to improve steering response.
BMW says it expects to have the 5 Series Gran Turismo in U.S. dealers by the end of this year with a price between $65,000 and $70,000.
Bill Reinert, Toyota's U.S. national manager for advanced technology, told a National Academy of Sciences panel in Washington, D.C., Monday that the success of plug-in hybrids depends on their advantages over traditional hybrids.
"There is a great deal of variation on how current PHEVs perform in real-world conditions," Reinert said.
Although his statements sound like direct shots at cars like the Chevrolet Volt and Fisker Karma, Toyota is also testing plug-in variations of the Prius so he's probably speaking about their own conclusions.
Not sure why GM put out a press release on its Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine program today. There was nothing new to announce and the technology is nowhere near production ready. Can't imagine it has anything to do with looking good for it's new owners.
For those that aren't familar, gasoline-fueled HCCI engines use high pressure to induce ignition much like a diesel. They promise improved mileage along with cleaner emissions. Numerous manufacturers have been working on such engines, but they work much better in a lab than they do out in the real world. In other words, don't expect to see an HCCI on any options list anytime soon.
Don't bother lamenting the fact that we don't get the Scirocco. Yeah, it's cool looking and all, but how many people in the U.S. would pay $35-$40k for it? As far as Volkswagen is concerned, it's not worth trying to find out.
That said, there's still some potential news here. The upgraded 2.0T used in this Scirocco is the same motor pegged for the Golf R20 we showed you on the Nurburgring last week. The revised engine uses a reinforced block and stronger con-rods to handle its output of 261-horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That power goes through either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG transmission. Volkswagen's XDS differential control manages front wheel torque to get the most power to the ground.
Will any of this matter? The best answer we can give you now is maybe. Volkswagen knows the Scirocco is too expensive to sell in the U.S., but a Golf R20 probably wouldn't be cheap either. If the market improves considerably by the end of this year, Volkswagen could change its mind and give it a shot but don't get your hopes up.
Earlier this month, Bob Lutz took exception with some comments made by David Letterman about the Volt. Lutz called Letterman misinformed and vowed to show him the wonders of the Chevrolet Volt himselt.
That time has now come, as Lutz has been confirmed as a guest on the Late Show. Stephen Colbert will be there too apparently. Wonder what Lutz will say to him this time?
In a joint press conference from Stuttgart, Daimler announced that it will take a 10% stake in Tesla Motors in return for help with development of the electric Smart car. Tesla will receive product development help with its upcoming Model S sedan.
With Daimler on board, development of the Model S should accelerate although there are still many questions as to how far the collaboration will go. Elon Musk reiterated the goal of building the Model S out of aluminum, but Daimler's expertise in that area is somewhat limited.
And of course, Tesla shouldn't forget that Chrysler once collaborated with Daimler and we all know how that worked out.
We've seen it in cold weather testing, and now we've got video of the 2010 Mini Cooper Crossover lapping the Nurburgring. With only the BMW-PSA 1.6-liter turbo four motivating its poundage, we're guessing Mini engineers were sorting out the chassis tuning, rather than trying to chase down any Nissan GT-Rs.
The Mini Crossover is expected to show in final production form at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, with U.S. sales beginning in early 2010.
Last August Inside Line scooped the world with a report that Nissan is working on a convertible version of its Murano crossover. Yeah, it sounded nuts to us too, but it was true then and it is true now.
Sources inside Nissan tell us the droptop SUV is still a go and will arrive at dealers before the summer of 2010.
Much of the information we published last August is still right on. The 2011 Murano convertible will be produced in limited numbers, and will be targeted at empty-nesters who need room to carry the grandkids, but still want something fun. And like the new 370Z convertible, it will stick with a more traditional soft top to keep weight and cost down.
The Murano's current 265-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and continuously variable transmission (CVT) will remain, and front- or all-wheel drive will be available.
However, we did get one thing wrong. Unlike the image above, the 2011 Nissan Murano Convertible will be a two-door. That's right, sort of like a higher riding PT Cruiser convertible.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, is a smart guy. He made a billion or so dollars off of PayPal and started his own rocket company after all. Seems strange then that he would be so misinformed about the Chevrolet Volt.
In this video, Musk dismisses the Volt because he thinks the gasoline engine is too small to propel the car after the batteries run out of power. You would think he would know that the Volt never actually runs on the gasoline engine alone, but apparently he's too busy trying to turn his Model S concept into a reality. Fast forward to the 27:23 mark to hear his comments.
We showed you spy photos of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf R20 a month ago and now we have spy video of the same car testing on the Nurburgring. It may have lost the tell tale burble of the R32's exhaust, but it looks as though it's making good time nonetheless.
Here's hoping we actually get to find out. Last we heard Volkswagen wasn't planning to sell this car in the U.S. We should know for sure by the end of the year.
It lives. Yes, the Lexus LF-A still exists and it has returned to the Nurburgring, We assume it's moving closer to production, but that's what we thought the last time it showed up.
There are some minor bodywork changes this time around. The C-pillar treatment has obviously been altered and the front end looks a little different. Thankfully, the unique exhaust arrangement is still intact. If this on-again, off-again project ever gets finished up, expect to see it debut at this year's Tokyo auto show in the fall.
From the "wait...who?" files comes this curious tale.
This morning, Autoblog, a blog apparently about auto, posted an item entitled "Reader Spy: Hyundai Equus Takes to U.S. Streets." Okay, no biggie. Not sure why anyone would get too excited about a really big Hyundai luxury sedan not yet sold in the U.S., but okay.
The first line of the story read: "This is the new Hyundai Equus in the steel and on U.S. roads, courtesy of Autoblog reader Alex Krafcik." Oh, okay...no, wait, Krafcik? Isnt' t that the name of the CEO of the U.S. arm of Hyundai? Yes, it is. John Krafcik. So, "Spy" might be slightly overstating the case, no?
So they're not really spy photos, but the fact that Krafcik is running around Southern California in one of Hyundai's home market flagships is still noteworthy. The car was displayed at the New York Auto Show last month "to get public reaction", so it's pretty clear that Hyundai is still considering the idea of a luxury brand. Even if that doesn't happen, a Hyundai-badged model above the current Genesis is certainly a possibility.
Get used to the level of camouflage you see on this 2010 Jaguar XJ. It's a growing trend among manufacturers who are hellbent on keeping their designs hidden.
Still, it's pretty obvious that this XJ will be a drastic departure from the current model. Jaguar has apparently given up on its traditional "long and lean" look in favor of a wider, more substantial design. It won't be long until we find out for sure as the 2010 Jaguar XJ is scheduled for an official debut in early July.
Fresh off a mid-cycle update for 2009, the Porsche Boxster is already well into the development phase of the fully redesigned 2011 model. Seen here lapping the Nurburgring and ripping through the German countryside, this Boxster looks and sounds much like the current model.
There was a rumor circulating late last year that Porsche might be considering a turbocharged, four-cylinder powerplant as the base engine for the next Boxster. This prototype certainly doesn't sound like it's a four-cylinder, but that doesn't rule out the possibility in the future. After all, Porsche has to meet the same fuel economy regulations that everybody else does.
The ol' hydrogen highway just got a little bit shorter. At a press conference today, Energy Secretary Stephen Chu announced a budget that slashes spending on hydrogen research by 59%.
"We asked ourselves, 'Is it likely in the next 10 or 15, 20 years that we will covert to a hydrogen car economy?' The answer, we felt, was 'no,'" Chu said in the briefing today.
GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens used the company's Fastlane blog to reassure hybrid fans that a plug-in hybrid is still in the works. Originally planned for the Saturn Vue, GM's plug-in system is currently being adapted to another similarly-sized vehicle. Looking at GM's new "core" brands, that means either the Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain.
Our shooters in Germany finally caught a glimpse of the 2011 BMW 6 Series. Sporting a soft convertible top and BMW's now trademark camouflage swirls, the big coupe looks as though it's sticking with its current shape and size.
A good thing? We'll reserve judgment on the styling at this point. For now, we'll be content just listening to this early prototype running the Nurburgring as it sounds quite healthy. And let's face it, the 6 Series needs a healthy motor to move that much weight around.
Here they are, your new Chryslers. Well, maybe they'll still be badged as Alfas or Fiats, nobody really knows at this point. What we do know is that these four vehicles and the Fiat 500 will represent the bulk of Fiat's contribution to Chrysler's lineup.
They include the Alfa Romeo MiTo (bottom right), an upcoming replacement for the Alfa 147 (top left) that will be renamed Milano, the Fiat Grande Punto (top right) and a version of the Fiat Panda utility vehicle (bottom left).
We knew Nissan was looking to get into the hybrid game with its own technology, but we didn't know how far it would go. A report out of Japan unearthed by 370Z.com predicts a hybrid version of the Nissan 370Z by the 2012 model year.
Just a few weeks ago, Japan's Nikkei daily reported that Nissan would offer its first in-house hybrid system in its Fuga luxury sedan, which is known as the Infini M35/45 in the States. The new hybrid system will reportedly use a new lithium ion battery pack that delivers more power and shorter recharged times.
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedans will cost substantially less than their 2009 counterparts according to a report in Automotive News. In order to bring the new sedans closer to its traditional transaction prices, Mercedes-Benz reduced the base price of the E350 sedan by $4,600 to $49,475. The base E550 sedan gets a $5,400 price cut to $57,175.
The new 2010 E-Class Coupes, which replace the current CLK Coupes, get only minor reductions in price. The base E350 coupe will start at $48,925 while the E550 coupe will start at $55,525.
A diesel-powered E350 sedan is slated to arrive next March followed by a wagon in June and a convertible around the same time.
We've been skeptical of the Tesla Model S sedan since day one. It promises the world, but the engineering behind it is still very much a work in progress.
You wouldn't know it from listening to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, however, as he's touted the car as if it's a finished product. He got a nice plug on Letterman recently, and is once again taking the Model S on tour to drum up business.
Not everyone is convinced. Dan Neil from the Los Angeles Times recently got some seat time in the Model S and was hardly overwhelmed.
One of our editors spotted this Ford Fiesta parked on the streets of West L.A. this morning and it reminded us that this marketing gimmick is now in full swing. The cars have been handed out and the website is live, so now the fun begins right?
Well, maybe.
Ford's idea for a video contest to pick the winners was brilliant, but the entertainment value of the videos, pics and tweets that will emerge over the next several months is questionable. I mean, as nice as the Fiesta may be, it's still just an entry-level economy car. If you're dying to know what it's like to drive one to the Grand Canyon, just go rent a Focus and pretend it's smaller.
Then again, maybe the Fiesta agents will prove us wrong.
With production still over a year away, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt is still very much a work in progress. Our Senior Editor in Detroit Dan Pund recently had a chance to see just how much work has been done thanks to a brief test drive in one of Chevrolet's development mules.
He reports that the Volt does in fact move under pure electric power, and it does so in a way that makes it feel like a properly sorted sedan. No, he didn't go far enough to test the range, or even engage the gasoline-powered generator for that matter, but that's why it's called a mule.
The upcoming 2010 BMW X1 was spotted recently during filming of a commercial. Not surprisingly, it looks much like the X1 concept that was shown at the 2008 Paris Auto Show last fall.
We were hoping for some measure of improvement in the styling department. As is, the BMW X1 isn't really giving us to much to get excited about. We'll see how it looks when it shows up in the States this fall.
Now anybody can sit around agonizing over which wheels to order on their new Porsche Panamera Turbo. A well-built configurator is now live on Porsche's Web site and it provides a good look at all the various options available for the new Porsche sedan.
You want your Panamera in purple (that's Amethyst Metallic) or maybe a nice sea foam green? Check out the two-tone interior colors, too, they're a much better idea than the "special" exterior colors.
Tesla will continue its public relations blitz for its proposed sedan with an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman tomorrow night. A noted car enthusiast, Letterman has never had any vehicles on the show because regulations don't allow internal combustion engines inside the studio.
Tesla has been showing off a concept version of the Model S sedan in hopes of spurring interest that might help the company secure government funding to complete the project. Just last month, company CEO Elon Musk said he was close to finding a plant to build the Model S in Southern California.
Yesterday, the District blog posted information that suggests Tesla may be angling for some space at the former Boeing assembly plant in Long Beach, California. Tesla wouldn't confirm the report.
Honda has continually said that plug-in hybrids are an unnecessary step on the road to hydrogen-fueled vehicles.
Now it's changing its tune given the U.S. government's preference for plug-in hybrids as a short-term solution. Green Car Advisor has the full story on Honda's about face.
After far too many "teasers" of its upcoming supercar, Aston Martin will finally unveil a complete One-77 Concept at the Concorso d'Eleganza on the shores of Lake Como, Italy.
The all-aluminum sports car most recently appeared at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, but only its stripped-down chassis and an exterior styling buck were on display. Aston Martin promises a complete interior and running drivetrain this time around.
Power will come from a 7.3-liter V12 with at least 700 horsepower, says Aston Martin. A paddle-shifted sequential transmission will handle the shifting. Aston expects a 0-60-mph time of around 3.5 seconds and a top speed over 200 mph.
Earlier this week, Volkswagen announced that it would build its new minicar lineup in Slovakia starting in 2011. The new vehicles would be the production versions of the Up! minicars shown at the 2007 Frankfurt and Tokyo shows.
Today, Volkswagen of America told Inside Line News that this lineup was definitely headed to America. Which models and what they would be called are still being determined.
Porsche engineers told Inside Line that an RS version of the latest GT3 is definitely in the works. It will arrive in Europe later this year as a 2010 model. The U.S. version will take a bit longer, more like early next year as a 2011.
The talkative engineers also gave us one more bit of interesting information. Remember that 911 prototype that was spotted on the Nurburgring with the huge fixed wing stuck to its rear end?
Well, turns out that was just another 998 prototype. The engineers thought it would be amusing to see what kind of speculation it generated. See, those Germans aren't so stuffy after all.
At this point we've seen the upcoming Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in the flesh, but never completely uncovered. These latest shots reveal more exterior detail than ever before and it's looking quite promising.
The shapes of the greenhouse and nose section are clearly visible now and they both show clear signs of the SLS's retro-inspired design. Smaller details like the headlights, drilled brake rotors and vents holes in the front quarter panels add a few more clues to the look of the final design.
Audi of America will drop use of the Volkswagen-derived, narrow-angle VR6 six-cylinder engine for the 2010 model year.
The engine, which dates back to the '90s VW Corrado/Passat days, has grown to 3.2-liters over the years and produced 250 horsepower in the 2009 TT and A3. But the VR6 doesn't use direct-injection like Audi's newer engines (2.0T and 3.2 V6). The company will also drop the front-drive 2.0-liter turbo TT.
The company will also limit use of its more conventionally arranged 3.2-liter V6. The 265-hp V6 will no longer be available in the A4 sedan. Almost all A4s will be powered by the 2.0 turbo. The S4, that arrives later this year, will be the step up engine in the line. It will use the supercharged 3.0-liter that's just gone into the A6. It will be available in the A5 coupe, but only with the automatic transmission. In other A5 news, the ubiquitous 2.0T will be offered as the base engine in the two-door.
And you better get your order in for your V-10-powered S8 super-sedan soon because that model will be discontinued for the 2010 model year. The S6 carries on with the Lambo-sourced V10 and so does the R8 5.2 V10 which also arrives in the U.S. as a 2010 vehicle. And the range-topping, black-tie-wearing A8 W12 is dead too. Not a big surprise given that the car sold only about 100 units last year (no, we didn't forget a zero in that number).
Looks like the Volkswagen group had a little meeting to figure out its production plans for the next couple of years as Audi has also announced some upcoming production plans. The Q3, a compact SUV loosely based on the Cross Coupe Concept, will be built in Martorell, Spain starting in 2011 Audi announced today.
According to Audi's press release, the Q3 will be, "a coupe-like five-door SUV with seat positions, wheel size, and ground clearance characteristic of a typical SUV. The Q3 will blend a compact car's design and driving dynamics with an SUV's spaciousness and versatility."
So yeah, nothing really new here, just another vehicle to slot into the lineup in an effort to conquer BMW.
Remember the Up! minicar concept that debuted in Frankfurt almost two years ago now? It's now headed for production, at least in sedan form, and Volkswagen has announced that its Slovakan plant will build the new car.
Although Up! was shown with a rear-mounted engine, expect to see a more traditional layout when it goes into production. According to Volkswagen the first sedans will be rolling off the assembly line in early 2011.
This year, the GT is back, but it's flowing lines have been interrupted by the realities of production. There's a full interior this time around and a much larger greenhouse to open up more passenger room. Unfortunately, the new shape makes the car look awkward and unfinished. If Geely wants to make a name for itself with a flagship coupe, it's going to have to channel a little more of the concept into the finished product.
Oh come on, you weren't expecting anything else from the next-generation 2011 Porsche 911 were you? It has looked this way for decades, so no matter how extensive the mechanical changes are to the 998-series of this classic sportscar, it's always going to look familiar on the outside.
More info and video of this prototype on the Nurburgring after the jump.
Prior to today's announcement at the Shanghai Auto Show, the Rolls-Royce Ghost was called everything from the "baby Phantom" to RR4 to 200EX. Now it has a proper name from the Rolls-Royce history books, one that makes it sound all wispy and athletic.
Don't be fooled, though, this sedan still measures 212-inches nose-to-tail, a good 7-inches longer than a Mercedes-Benz S Class, and it will use a 6.6-liter, turbocharged V12 under its hood. Production is expected to start at Goodwood later this year.
Jaguar used the 2009 Shanghai auto show to announce details on the upcoming 2010 XJ sedan. It will debut this summer in London on July 9th and go on sale in some markets by the end of this year.
A second-generation of Jaguar's aluminum chassis will underpin the new flagship and both standard and long-wheelbase models will be offered. Engines will range from a V6 diesel to the 510-horsepower supercharged V8 already shown in the XFR sedan.
Volkswagen told Inside Line News that it's mulling over the possibility of importing the R Line Tiguan, a model that's already headed to European markets.
Other "R" models are under consideration for import as well. We think a R Line CC could make for a particularly fetching sedan.
It appears as though there's a bit of a Fiesta movement going on in Europe already. The bite size hatchback became Europe's best selling car in March with 52,805 units sold. Volkswagen's Golf had previously held that title.
That said, we're still waiting for the Fiesta here in the U.S. and it won't be headed our way anytime soon. Sure, Ford handed out 100 Euro-spec cars to obsessive Twitter tweakers so they could tell everybody how much they like the car that isn't costing them a dime, but actual customers will have to wait until next year to buy U.S. versions.
As is typical of the Chinese shows, we'll be seeing a colorful array of model names that make monikers like Brougham and Bonneville SSEI seem quaint. So far we've seen previews of the Chery Karry Viewsonic, Great Wall Cool Bear and the Dongfeng Fengshen. Check back next Monday for more cool name and additional coverage from Shanghai.
Nissan will unveil a pure electric car late next year that uses lithium-ion batteries to achieve a 100-mile range. Mark Perry, Nissan's Director of Product Strategy, told Green Car Advisor, "It is a dedicated all-new car, not the conversion of something we already offer. You need something that is different enough to let people know you are driving a special car."
Nissan is currently putting on a roadshow to showcase the electric drivetrain that will power the new EV. A Nissan Cube has been retrofitted with the drive system, but Nissan doesn't have any plans to offer such a setup.
Maybe you've seen pictures of the 2010 Audi RS5 before. The prototypes were caught roaming around the California desert in varying degrees of camouflage last summer. But other than indicating that the program was indeed proceeding, the cobbled-together test mules didn't expose any details.
Now the RS5 is undergoing high-speed testing on the Nurburgring, and the prototypes look a little more finished. Our spy video also gives us our first chance to hear the high-performance coupe, and it delivers a good hint at what's under the hood.
Yesterday, Motor Trend reported that the Cadillac Converj concept had been approved for production.
Today, Cadillac officially denied the report to Inside Line News. "There is no change to the status of Converj," said Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell. "It is a concept -- a proposal -- and it's being reviewed, and the review is not completed."
The Toyota/Subaru coupe kerfuffle continues. This time a report in the Japanese magazine Best Car says two very different prototypes have been spotted testing. Both ride on the platform used for the new Subaru Legacy, but Best Car didn't speculate on the styling of either coupe.
The magazine claims to know the exterior dimensions, however, pinning the length at 165.4-inches, the width at 68.9-inches and the height at 51.2-inches. Those numbers would make it considerably smaller than the Hyundai Genesis Coupe in every dimension. That said, Best Car still claims that both of the coupes will have rear seats, although it does describe them as "emergency"seats, so they will be small indeed.
This is the first official image of the 2010 Aston Martin Rapide. Now set for a debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, the four-door Aston Martin is expected to go on sale early next year.
The Rapide will be powered by Aston's 6.0-liter V12, delivering 470 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque and mated to a Touchtronic automatic gearbox.
Actually, he called Randall Stross "a huge douche bag" first, then called him an idiot. Why?
Turns out Mr. Stross, a business professor at San Jose State University, wrote a column in the New York Times that was critical of the idea that Tesla should receive government loans. He likens it to a bail out for millionaire investors while taxpayers get nothing in return.
Whether you agree with him or not, it's a legitimate topic of discussion. Musk's response seems oddly harsh and a bit shortsighted. After all, he's the one taking deposits for the Model S, a car that is nothing but a concept at this point. Should its development get delayed of even canceled for lack of money, Mr. Musk is going to be the one looking like an idiot - or worse.
#NYIAS Don't get too excited, it will be awhile before the Mitsubishi i MiEV arrives at U.S. dealerships ready for public sale. At today's press conference in New York, Mitsubishi Motors North America President and CEO Shinichi Kurihara announced that Mitsubishi fully intends to develop its i MiEV electric car for world markets including the United States. Fleet sales of the i MiEV are expected to start in Japan this summer.
The i MiEV slated for Japan is slightly smaller than the vehicle on hand at today's show. A wider track is the main difference. Sources on hand at the show said Mitsubishi is also considering a gasoline version of the vehicle for the U.S. Could be an interesting alternative to the Smart. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
#NYIAS Forget what you've heard. The Hyundai Equus is coming to the U.S., and when it does it'll be powered by a 5.0-liter V8 backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission.
"You didn't hear it from me," a source close to the project told Inside Line today during the New York auto show. "But you wouldn't be far off if you said the car was coming to the United States. Our chairman wants it."
The full-size sedan, which packs the size and luxury to top the Hyundai lineup, should hit the states in "two or three years" according to our source, but the problem right now is price. In Korea the car starts at the equivalent of $96,000, and taking on the Benz S-Class in America is not what Hyundai has in mind. At least not yet.
Hyundai hopes to get the price down to near $50,000 in the States, where it would give Genesis sedan owners a car to move up into. In the meantime, Hyundai will be gauging the public's reaction to the car all week at the New York show.
We expect more than one show-goer to be asked, "What would you pay for this car?" by Hyundai officials as the company creates the business plan for its new Lexus fighter. -- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
#NYIAS After the release of a revealing teaser image last week, the unveiling of the Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype was hardly a surprise. It looked like an Outlander with an Evo front end and that's exactly what it is. That's not all, though.
#NYIAS For more than a year, there have been unending rumors of an Infiniti-badged, Nissan GT-R-powered sedan. The car was said to be an all-wheel-drive flagship for the luxury brand, powered by the same twin-turbo V6 used in Nissan's supercar.
Then Infiniti showed the GT-R-powered Essence concept at the Geneva show, and the rumors fired up again. Word was that the sedan plan was dead and the new flagship was to be an Essense-like coupe with GT-R power.
Well, today Inside Line has learned that both plans have hit the trash can. Infiniti has decided that a high-powered flagship is just not what it needs right now. Not at a time when S-Class and 7 Series sales are way down.
"It's fair to say that there's nothing in the product plan for an Infiniti flagship right now," Brian Carolin, Nissan's Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, told IL. "It's just not a priority in today's climate."
"Our dealers would rather have something with more volume," he continued. Twelve months ago they would have said yes; now it's way down on their wish list." -- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
#NYAIS I just spent a couple of hours crawling in and around a Mercedes SLS AMG prototype. The interior was finished, but the outside wore much of the same camouflage as the cars we've seen running around the Nurburgring for months (notice the black tape on the red car above). Photos were not allowed, nor could we open the hood or trunk, but everything else was fair game.
Now we've already published a number of stories on this car, so learning new info with such restrictions wasn't easy. Here's the new stuff we walked away with:
We all know that Nissan's next full-size pickup will use a Dodge Ram chassis and Hemi V8, but the name of the truck has been a well-kept secret. Rumors of a name change have run rampant, but today Inside Line has learned that the Titan name will live on.
According to Nissan's Senior VP of Sales and Marketing Brian Carolin, the company's future Dodge-based pickup will be called Titan when it hits dealers in 2011. "It will be called Titan, and our dealers are looking forward to the truck," Carolin told us on the floor of the New York auto show. "Their only concern about the vehicle is the future of Chrysler."-- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
It might be a little premature to be looking past the Mercedes SLS AMG since it won't even hit the road for another year, but today, more than one AMG insider confirmed that a convertible version of the gullwinged supercar will follow it to the market. Of course, it won't have the dramatic gullwing doors of the coupe, but it will get a power-retracting soft top like the one Mercedes used on the SLR.
Cost? We're almost afraid to ask, but it'll make the expected $250,000 price of the coupe look like Tic Tac money.
Look for it to top the Mercedes range in about two years. -- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
As the latest move in a long striptease of the upcoming Gullwing-door-having Mercedes-Benz SLS sports car, the company has released these sketches of the exterior.
Judging by the anime-style, computer-y renderings, the SLS will have 33-inch wheels carrying tires with a 0.05 aspect ratio and will be fitted with leftover Nissan GT-R headlamp assemblies.
Uh, wait, is that a porthole on the B-pillar? Possibly that is supposed to be the world's most prominent fuel filler. Such is the trouble with early sketches.
Otherwise, the design of the SLS is what most expected, a long-nosed two-seater with a number of retro flourishes nabbed from the 1955-'57 300SL "Gullwing." Beyond the gullwing doors, which Mercedes has taken to calling "swing-wing" doors, the new car references the original with its twin longitudinal hood bulges, big front grille, fender vents and a tapered rear end with tiny, horizontal taillights.
How close are these sketches to revealing the real character and details of the eventual 563-horsepower, seven-speed dual-clutch, $250,000 SLS? We haven't a clue really. But we won't have to wait too much longer to find out. The car should finally be unveiled at this fall's Frankfurt auto show.
Cadillac officials acknowledged today that the SRX crossover, which will arrive in U.S. dealerships in early August, will eventually be fitted with the two-mode electric hybrid system.
It would be the same basic arrangement of parts as used in the full-size pickup trucks and SUVs for the last couple of years. General Motors' plan initially called for the Saturn Vue to be the first mid size crossover withing the corporation to receive a version of that system. Ooooh...yeah, that situation is very much in flux, as they say. Saturn said that it expected the Vue two-mode to be able to do 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds and return 27 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway with its combination direct-injection V6 and twin 55-kilowatt electric motors. It's fair to assume the Cadillac would perform similarly. For comparison, Cadillac estimates that a conventional front-wheel-drive SRX powered by the 3.0-liter direct-injection V6 should return 18/25 mpg, city/highway.
No word on timing for the two-mode SRX but we wouldn't expect it before the 2011 model year. A few main competitors either already offer a hybrid crossover in roughly the same size and price class (Lexus) or plan to within the next couple of years (Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen).
#NYIAS General Motors and Segway are set to announce in a few hours their collaboration on a two-seat, two-wheel electric mobility pod called Project P.U.M.A.
It's called the P.U.M.A. because that stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility and also because that's a cool name. And by putting "Project" with it GM makes it sound roughly as significant as the Manhattan Project. Incidentally, Manhattan (and the Manhattans of the third world) is just the kind of place GM and Segway see something like this pod making sense.
Of course, Toyota and Suzuki have shown their own electro-nubbins over the years and haven't gotten far with the projects. You might also think of the GM/Segway as half of a GEM Peapod neighborhood electric vehicle or a Nissan Pivo (but without all the smoldering sex appeal or the robotic buddy).
The two companies are only 18 months into the project and the vehicle doesn't even have body work yet. We've included an illustration on one proposed body. Anyway, the companies see the P.U.M.A. or whatever it ends up being called (if anything at all) as a low environmental impact way to relieve some of the congestion of the increasingly crowded cities of the future.
Audi officials have told Inside Line that the much anticipated R8 convertible is on the way, but not until next year. Prototypes caught testing last summer showed R8s with a full convertible top, a feature that product planners in the U.S. preferred over a less complicated targa setup. "We fought for a full convertible instead of smaller targa roof," an official from Audi USA told Inside Line.
The extended time frame will allow for more time between the launch of the convertible and the V10-powered R8 5.2 FSI Quattro. There was some initial hesitation from Audi USA regarding Stateside sales of that model, but it has now been confirmed for arrival later this year. And will the V10 fit with the convertible top? "Yes, it all fits," the Audi official told us.
Sure, it's a camouflaged car running the 'Ring, but Suzuki released it to the media to remind everybody that plans for an all-new midsize "sport sedan" are still in the works. And nothing says sporty like the Nurburgring.
You might remember talk of this sedan from a few months back. Shown in concept form as the Kizashi 3 at last year's New York Show, Suzuki cancelled plans to unveil the production version to conserve cash. Well, the car is still on track for production and Suzuki says it expects to have it on dealer lots by the end of this year. Expect to see an official debut within the next six months.
#nyias A couple teaser images have been released on the Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype that will appear at the 2009 New York Auto Show next week. Although blurred for effect, it obvious that the new Outlander model will get a front-end design similar to the Lancer Evolution sedan. Mitsubishi also says to expect more power from this Outlander's 3.0-liter V6 along with increased efficiency and a revised all-wheel drive system.
Hyundai plans to sell a plug-in hybrid version of the Blue Will concept sedan shown this week at the Seoul auto show. Yang Woong-chul, president of Hyundai-Kia Motors' research and development division told Automotive News that the company is targeting the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius plug-in that are expected in roughly the same time frame.
This Taurus X-looking test mule is actually an early prototype for the 2011 Ford Explorer. Since gas guzzling body-on-frame SUVs are out of favor these days, the next-generation Explorer will switch to a car-based, front-wheel drive platform.
Only the front clip of this prototype has actual Explorer bodywork, hence the minimal camouflage. From what we can see, the nose shows only limited similarity to the Ford Explorer America concept shown in Detroit last year. We're guessing it probably doesn't have a diesel powerplant either.
It was only yesterday that Autoblog published spy photos of the Hyundai Nuvis concept. Now, in an apparent attempt to shape the story a little, Hyundai has released this teaser image of the crossover concept. Hyundai doesn't mention the gullwing doors, or anything else for that matter, so we'll have to wait until next week to get the full scoop.
Caught just yesterday testing on the Nurburgring, the R20 as it may be called will get a 260-horsepower version of the 2.0-liter TFSI engine used in the GTI. It will also get all-wheel drive like the old V6-powered R32, and by the looks of this prototype, a pair of center-exit exhaust pipes.
It feels like we've been waiting too long for the 2010 Audi RS5 to arrive. First spotted in prototype form last summer, the high-powered coupe was expected to debut in Geneva.
Instead, we got the RS version of the TT. Not a bad placeholder, but hardly the big-displacement coupe we were hoping to see. These new spy photos prove there's definitely an RS5 on the way, however, so it shouldn't be long before Audi unleashes the V10-powered coupe.
This latest prototype shows off some revised bodywork in back, but the wheels certainly aren't new. Expect to see something a little more exotic at each corner when the production version debuts later this summer.
After dropping teaser shots a couple of weeks ago, Acura has now confirmed the name for the new crossover it will unveil at the 2009 New York Auto Show: ZDX. Acura is still calling it a prototype, but given that it goes on sale this fall there won't be too many changes.
"The ZDX prototype is unlike anything you have ever seen before from Acura," said Jeff Conrad, vice president, Acura sales. "The prototype showcases a new level of luxury, style and refinement for Acura and speaks volumes towards our commitment to advancing the brand."
Yes, that's right, concept car. We think it's a more accurate name for the Tesla Model S. It sounds a little confusing given how the company described the car that was unveiled yesterday, but after digging a little deeper, there's more style than substance to the Model S.
The Tesla Model S sedan made its world debut today at Elon Musk's Space X facility in Hawthorne, CA.
In addition to announcing various details on the car, Musk reiterated his confidence in the eventual success of the program. "I have zero doubt that this car will be manufactured," Musk told the assembled press.
Here's a basic rundown of the details that Musk divulged during his questions and answer sessions with reporters:
- Range: approximately 300 miles - Fast charge capability: 45 minutes - Battery pack can be swapped out in less time that it takes to fill a typical gas tank - 0-to-60mph in less than 6.0-seconds. Top speed: 135mph - Approximate weight: 4,000 pounds - Aluminum body panels - Single speed transmission - 7-passenger capacity via two rear-facing seats in the cargo area - Cost: $49,900 after federal tax credit
Digg founder Kevin Rose posted these images of what look like the Tesla Model S sedan on his Flickr account this morning. An official reveal is scheduled for later today in Hawthorne, CA.
We'll have full coverage from the event, but until then this is all we know.
A report in Japan's Nikkei newspaper says Toyota is developing a Yaris-based hybrid as a low-cost alternative to the Honda Insight. "We are developing a low-priced hybrid vehicle like Honda's Insight," Akihiko Otsuka, chief engineer of the latest Prius told the newspaper. "We are going to compete by expanding our hybrid-vehicle lineup to smaller hybrids, in the class of the Vitz [sold in Japan] and Yaris."
No timetable was given for the for the car's launch, but the paper did mention that Otsuka inferred a 2011 timeframe.
Kia used the Seoul auto show to unveil its first every production hybrid vehicle. The Kia Forte Hybrid, aimed at the South Korean automaker's home market, is slated to go on sale later this summer.
It combines a 1.6-liter liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engine with a small electric motor-generator, a continuously variable transmission and what the company says will be the world's first lithium-polymer battery pack.
Teased at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show in the Essence concept, Infiniti's hybrid drivetrain will make its production debut in the M sedan next year. The system will combine a V6 and an electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries.
It's been a common rallying cry from Ford enthusiasts for years. "Bring over the Mondeo and it'll be a hit," they would say. Well, now their prayers are being answered, sort of.
According to a report in Automotive News, Ford has consolidated development of the next-generation Fusion and Mondeo models into one worldwide program.
Although the bulk of the engineering will occur in Dearborn, the team will include members from Europe and Asia to assure that the car can be sold in multiple markets with only slight changes. The car will be based on the Ford's EUCD platform, a mid-size front- and all-wheel drive architecture which underpins the current Mondeo. The next-geneation sedan is expected to debut in 2012.
For reasons of personal safety and also convenience we cannot tell you where we shot these spy photos, which was at GM's Milford Proving Grounds two days ago at about 9:17 am.
Anyway, our crack shooters got two clean shots of GM's answer to the Aptera 2e two-seat, three-wheel electric vehicle.
Unlike the Aptera, the GM vehicle, known by its codename "Monte Rickshaw," uses one small front wheel which is connected to the passenger cabin/trunk by a long tube. GM is known to have been researching what's known as Chevrolet Advanced Caster Application, or CACA, which allows the front wheel to spin a full 360 degrees and chatter annoyingly in grocery-store parking lots.
The tube is assumed to be packed, flashlight-style with alkaline batteries or, possibly, magic. Steering is thought to be by something called "helper monkey."
Our sources indicate that: A. The vehicle will arrive in dealerships with the throwback Monte Carlo Style rear seen here with the up-to-the-minute matte black paint job. Or, B. Could this be the next Corvette?!
What's a Scion tD? Allow us to explain. Scion is on the press conference schedule for the 2009 New York Auto Show. And with the way things are going in the industry these days, even Toyota isn't going to pay up to have a press conference for the xB 11.0 Special Edition.
No, a full blown press conference is more likely reserved for an all-new model. But which one?
Well, current Scion VP Jack Hollis told Automotive News last month, "Within the next two years, we will have a replacement tC" coupe.
The time frame seems a little long, but we went digging anyways. The U.S. Patent and Trademark website makes things easy, and when you're looking for the next-generation tC it doesn't take much imagination to figure out where Scion might be going with the naming convention.
Sure enough, we found a Toyota trademark for the name "tD". Does it guarantee that's the name? Nope. Does it sound considerably more marketable than tB? Yep.
The only question left now is what kind of coupe it'll be. Let's hope it takes after the Fuse, and not the Hako.
It doesn't look like much sitting in a glass dish, but this new battery material developed by researchers at MIT could revolutionize electric automobiles.
We won't get into the science behind it (mainly because we didn't graduate from MIT), but the end result is drastically reduced charging times for Lithium-Ion batteries. We're talking minutes instead of hours here, an improvement that would make the prospect of all-electric cars that much more viable.
Land Rover hasn't come out and said it just yet, but a recent press release all but confirms a production version of the LRX concept shown in Detroit last year. The release was issued on account of the British government offering up help in the way of a roughly $32M grant for production of a new vehicle.
"We welcome the Government's support for this project, which would form a key part of our future product plans and which we very much want to put into production," said Phil Popham, Managing Director of Land Rover.
Don't have to read between the lines on that one very hard. The only confusion left now is how the vehicle will be positioned in the lineup. "It would be the smallest, lightest and most efficient Range Rover that we've ever built," Phil added. "The compact size, lighter weight and sustainability-focused technologies of the LRX Concept showed how Land Rover is planning to respond to the needs of a changing world."
Not sure what "smallest Range Rover" means, hopefully more than just a really expensive LR2.
In an effort to completely shield all passengers from any contact with hard objects during a collision, Toyota has unveiled the first center-mounted rear seat airbag.
The innovative new airbag will, "come in a Toyota model to be launched in Japan in the near future," according to the press release. Mounted in what looks like a sizable fixed console, Toyota says the airbag is designed to help, "lessen injuries caused by passengers colliding with each other or into the console." Wouldn't getting rid of the console also reduce...oh forget it.
Also of note are Toyota's future traffic safety initiatives, one of which strives for the "complete elimination of traffic casualties, which can be viewed as the ultimate hope of a society that values mobility." Dare to dream Toyota, dare to dream.
Is the Infiniti Essence concept the Nissan GT-R twin we've been hearing about for the last year or so? Hard to tell at this point.
Consider this statement from the product planner in charge of its development. "It isn't a teaser for a new model. It is solely dedicated to Infiniti brand promotion, to demonstrate and advocate the Infiniti unique values," said Francois Bancon.
Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Well, maybe, but according to the press kit this Infiniti concept also has a twin-turbocharged V6 under its hood that produces 434 horsepower. Not quite the size engine or horsepower as the GT-R, but close.
Oh, and as an added twist, the Essence is also a hybrid thanks to an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission. It's powered by a lithium-ion battery pack in the trunk and is capable of delivering an additional 158 hp -- all of it going to the rear wheels.
So the Essence may not have all-wheel drive or a 3.8-liter V6, but with a combined 592 hp and rear-wheel drive, it would be quite the halo car for the Infiniti brand, not to mention one of the fastest cars ever to leave a Japanese assembly line.
So what do you think? Just a promotion for the Infiniti brand, or an early look at an Infiniti flagship? -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
