Autoshow Season - Lexus LS460L
Lexus took the wraps off their new flagship LS460 today at the NAIAS. Packing a, as the model name suggests, 4.6l V-8 pumping out 380hp and 370lb*ft of torque and promises a 5.5 second 0-60 time due in no small part to...are you sitting down?...it's 8-speed automatic.Yes, I said 8 speeds. Where will it all end?
Other highlights include a 19 speaker stereo with a built-in hard drive (capable of holding 4000 songs) as well as a version of Toyota's parallel parking assist feature where the car will almost park itself (controlling the steering for you).
The L version is a long-wheelbase variant (a short wheelbase LS is shown with the L in the picture above).
Also, there was an announcement that the hybrid LS will debut at the NY auto show in April.
Autoshow Season - Buick Enclave 'concept'
Buick chose today to debut a 'concept' crossover. However, it is fairly obvious that this is a mildly disguised version of the production Enclave that may make its debut early in 2007 as a 2008.This is a nicely production-ized version of the previous Buick Centieme that they displayed not that long ago. Personally, I like this Enclave better. It has an elegant toughness about it.
Another sign that this is very close to a production vehicle is the decidedly non-concept looking interior. Nicely styled and likely to go to production as-is.If this is the new face of a revitalized Buick, then maybe calls for it to be killed as a brand were premature.
Autoshow Season - North American Car and Truck of the year announced
NACTOY awards are handed out every year at the opening of media days at the NAIAS. Cars are nominated and voted upon by members of the motoring press.
This year is the 13th annual award and the first time that both winners have been from the same brand.
The Car of the Year award goes to the new Honda Civic family of sedans and coupes. From what I've been hearing about these cars, this was a pretty easy bet.
Now as far as Truck of the Year, we have proof that automotive journalists have slightly different criteria for what makes a good truck. Essentially saying that the best truck is the one that appeals best to car buyers - they named the Honda Ridgeline.
Read more about it at the link below.
Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) 2006 - North American Car/Truck of the Year - MSN Autos
This year is the 13th annual award and the first time that both winners have been from the same brand.
The Car of the Year award goes to the new Honda Civic family of sedans and coupes. From what I've been hearing about these cars, this was a pretty easy bet.
Now as far as Truck of the Year, we have proof that automotive journalists have slightly different criteria for what makes a good truck. Essentially saying that the best truck is the one that appeals best to car buyers - they named the Honda Ridgeline.
Read more about it at the link below.
Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) 2006 - North American Car/Truck of the Year - MSN Autos
Autoshow Season - Ford vehicles at NAIAS
Ford will be announcing at the NAIAS a series of production and concept vehicles that show a decent cross section of the Ford portfolio.
Interesting is how we are now beginning to see (with the exception of the Mustang, which has it's own, stand-alone look) the beginnings of a corporate face across both cars and trucks - if this group is any indication.
First off, is the Ford Reflex small car concept. This car combines the muscular shape of the Iosis concept Ford showed late last year as their new European look with the tri-bar grill treatment that we first saw on the Ford 427 concept and, in production form, on the Ford Fusion.
Next up is the production Ford Edge utility vehicle. Based on the same stretched Mazda6 chassis as the Fusion, the Edge is a cross-over with no false off-road intentions. It also caries the Fusion's tri-bar grill and sleek lines.
Ford also is taking the wraps off the F-250 Super Chief concept. They claim that it is inspired by classic American locomotives, specifically the...you guessed it...Super Chief. Most important, this appears to be a preview of how Ford will incorporate the tri-bar grill into the truck line. Look for something similar when the F-series is next freshened.
Finally, Ford will be showing production versions of the Mustang GT500 coupe and convertible. No tri-bar grill here, but the Mustang is enough of a styling icon to stand alone without the corporate face.
Finally, Ford gets that a 'look' that ties all its vehicles together is a worthy goal. Now if someone could just get that memo to Chevrolet.
Interesting is how we are now beginning to see (with the exception of the Mustang, which has it's own, stand-alone look) the beginnings of a corporate face across both cars and trucks - if this group is any indication.
First off, is the Ford Reflex small car concept. This car combines the muscular shape of the Iosis concept Ford showed late last year as their new European look with the tri-bar grill treatment that we first saw on the Ford 427 concept and, in production form, on the Ford Fusion.
Next up is the production Ford Edge utility vehicle. Based on the same stretched Mazda6 chassis as the Fusion, the Edge is a cross-over with no false off-road intentions. It also caries the Fusion's tri-bar grill and sleek lines.
Ford also is taking the wraps off the F-250 Super Chief concept. They claim that it is inspired by classic American locomotives, specifically the...you guessed it...Super Chief. Most important, this appears to be a preview of how Ford will incorporate the tri-bar grill into the truck line. Look for something similar when the F-series is next freshened.
Finally, Ford will be showing production versions of the Mustang GT500 coupe and convertible. No tri-bar grill here, but the Mustang is enough of a styling icon to stand alone without the corporate face.Finally, Ford gets that a 'look' that ties all its vehicles together is a worthy goal. Now if someone could just get that memo to Chevrolet.
Autoshow Season - 2007 Jeep Wrangler
Wow, this All Cars, All the Time blog is an impressive place. In this case, it appears that he might just have more mag subscriptions than the Library of Congress.Here are some scans from the latest Automobile and MPH magazines of the all-new Jeep Wrangler 2-door (4-door is on the way).
Nice update, Jeep.
All Cars, All the Time
Autoshow Season - Chrysler Aspen
What do you get when you cross the looks of the Chrysler Town and Country with a Dodge Durango...All Cars, All the Time knows - you have this pre-NAIAS shot of the upcoming Chrysler Aspen SUV.
I'm left somewhat underwhelmed.
All Cars, All the Time
I'm left somewhat underwhelmed.
All Cars, All the Time
Autoshow Season - Oops! Road and Track 'accidentally' unveil the new Camaro concept for GM
Just a few weeks ago, GM threatened legal action to get several photos of the upcoming Camaro concept taken off web sites.Well, now, let's see if they go after Road and Track for accidentally pulling the trigger on their online coverage of the Camaro concept before GM got a chance to unveil the car officially next week at the NAIAS.
There is an accompanying video that mentions that the Camaro is on the upcoming Zeta chassis (like the next GTO) as well as that the engine would be the 6.0l 400hp V-8 (no real surprises there).
Looks sweet to me.
R&T : World Exclusive: Chevrolet Camaro Concept Video (1/2006)
Allpar.com spy photos of the next Chrysler minivan
Allpar.com has a spy photo, courteous of Brenda Priddy, of the next Dodge Caravan undergoing testing.
Expect, big-brother of Caliber styling with an attempt to get back on top of the minivan feature wars with available all-wheel drive, enhanced stow-and-go seating, a diaper changing table, rear windows that roll down as well as what are sure to be a few surprises.
Allpar.com conjectures that the delay getting the minivans to market has been to tone down the styling (perhaps the flop of the Nissan Quest might have had something to do with this). Unfortunately, it appears that DCX has decided that Mercedes is the high-style company and boxy and in-your-face is the look for the 'lesser' brands.
Oh how I miss the high-style days of the Dodge and Chrysler of the 90's.
2005 Chrysler minivan information
Expect, big-brother of Caliber styling with an attempt to get back on top of the minivan feature wars with available all-wheel drive, enhanced stow-and-go seating, a diaper changing table, rear windows that roll down as well as what are sure to be a few surprises.
Allpar.com conjectures that the delay getting the minivans to market has been to tone down the styling (perhaps the flop of the Nissan Quest might have had something to do with this). Unfortunately, it appears that DCX has decided that Mercedes is the high-style company and boxy and in-your-face is the look for the 'lesser' brands.
Oh how I miss the high-style days of the Dodge and Chrysler of the 90's.
2005 Chrysler minivan information