Opel unveils Antera (Saturn Vue replacement)
First we had the 3-door Antera GTC concept, then the identical Saturn PreVue concept...now we have the first pictures of the production version of the 5-door Opel Antera and soon to be new Saturn Vue (though Saturn may change the name to hammer home how different this is than the Chevy Equinox/Pontiac Torrent/Suzuki's new XL-7 sibling that is the current VUE).In Opel guise, the Antera gets a 2.4l gasoline 4-cylinder as it's base powerplant (very likely the base engine for Saturn duty as well). A 3.2l V-6 with 240-ish hp would be the replacement for the Honda sourced engine used in the VUE (and would give the Outlook's 3.6l engine bragging rights). Opel will offer a 150hp, 2.0l diesel as well, but don't expect it to make the jump to Saturn unless diesel's become much more popular than they currently are.
Expect a higher level of fit-and-finish than the current Vue as well as modern high-tech gadgets like stability control (StabiliTrak) and in-dash navigation available on top models.
Cadillac to build CTS coupe
I knew something was up with the styling bucks Bob Lutz showed on 60 Minutes a few weeks back.The one they showed the back of was way too sporty for a CTS sedan with a very rakish rear window. Over at the Caddy Edge, I predicted that this was actually a CTS coupe...and much joy ensued.
Now, the rumors are more official since Autoweek (the above sketch is from them) and Automotive News are both reporting it.
Take a look here:
CTS Coupe Rumored
GM Dealers ask for something dumb and GM gives it to them
Autoblog.com is reporting on a pretty depressing development. GM has sworn that they would get away from badge engineering product (in the modern context - making minor changes and selling the same vehicle under different names)...and we've heard more than once that Pontiac would get decidedly sporty models and more recently that they would not be a full-line manufacturer.
Well, apparently GM isn't strong enough to toe that line...the dealers whined about the loss of the Sunfire coupe and instead of simply telling them that they are now a niche brand that will sell sporty cars...GM caved and is giving them a 'G5' that is little more than a Cobalt coupe with a Pontiac grill.
Maybe they'll show some guts next time when the dealers ask for watered-down product and actually say 'no'.
Autoblog.com - Pontiac G5 Debuts at Fundraiser
Well, apparently GM isn't strong enough to toe that line...the dealers whined about the loss of the Sunfire coupe and instead of simply telling them that they are now a niche brand that will sell sporty cars...GM caved and is giving them a 'G5' that is little more than a Cobalt coupe with a Pontiac grill.
Maybe they'll show some guts next time when the dealers ask for watered-down product and actually say 'no'.
Autoblog.com - Pontiac G5 Debuts at Fundraiser
Saturn to Import Opel Astra to replace ION - and soon
The good folks over at All Cars, All the Time are reporting on an Automotive News piece about Saturn. Aparently, rather than waiting for the next generation Delta chassis (Chevy Cobalt, Saturn ION) to replace the current, lack-luster ION, they will do something fairly drastic.
They will take the current Opel Astra (also built on the Delta chassis) sometime next year, and import it to the US with Saturn badging and likely a different name.
Why they can't just build the Astra in the current Cobalt/ION plant is not known.
This will have the unfortunate side-effect of raising the Saturn small-car's price into the 16k range. Quite a jump for folks used to the ION's current $12490 starting price.
I'm with the guys at ACAtT in crossing my fingers that the Astra with the panoramic windshield (that wraps well into the roof over the driver and front passenger - and would be a great sight-seeing car) will make the trip over as well.
Read ACAtT's coverage at:
Saturn to import Astra
They will take the current Opel Astra (also built on the Delta chassis) sometime next year, and import it to the US with Saturn badging and likely a different name.
Why they can't just build the Astra in the current Cobalt/ION plant is not known.
This will have the unfortunate side-effect of raising the Saturn small-car's price into the 16k range. Quite a jump for folks used to the ION's current $12490 starting price.
I'm with the guys at ACAtT in crossing my fingers that the Astra with the panoramic windshield (that wraps well into the roof over the driver and front passenger - and would be a great sight-seeing car) will make the trip over as well.
Read ACAtT's coverage at:
Saturn to import Astra
Woo hoo - Alfa Romeo return to the US is official
As reported over at ItaliaSpeed, Alfa could be back on sale in the US as early as the end of 2007.Alfa has been putting out some stunning product of late, and would make a great entry-level addition to the exotic-only Italian line-ups Americans have become used to (Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati).
Read all about it here:
http://www.italiaspeed.com/2006/cars/alfa_romeo/05/usa/0405.html
Cadillac's playing us all
Something hasn't seemed right to me since the spy photos surfaced a few days ago of the next CTS undergoing testing. Now I think I know why.
Is this not the next CTS? No, definitely not. Is Cadillac going the wrong direction stylistically - I don't think so. What had me puzzled was the fact that the camo does absolutely nothing to actually disguise the car. Come on, camo that leaves the entire grill, headlights, and fog lights easily identifiable? I don't think so.
My guess? This is a play by Cadillac, in the same vein as Audi plays the spy photographers, to generate buzz for their products. I think they are putting a lightly disguised car out with the express purpose of getting the photos taken and published.
Take a look at the pics over at ACAtT and let me know what you think.
All Cars, All the Time
Is this not the next CTS? No, definitely not. Is Cadillac going the wrong direction stylistically - I don't think so. What had me puzzled was the fact that the camo does absolutely nothing to actually disguise the car. Come on, camo that leaves the entire grill, headlights, and fog lights easily identifiable? I don't think so.
My guess? This is a play by Cadillac, in the same vein as Audi plays the spy photographers, to generate buzz for their products. I think they are putting a lightly disguised car out with the express purpose of getting the photos taken and published.
Take a look at the pics over at ACAtT and let me know what you think.
All Cars, All the Time
2008 Cadillac CTS spy shots
The Car Connection is showing spy photos that confirm that the mock-up Bob Lutz previewed on CBS' 60 Minutes is actually the new CTS. Through this modest disguise, you can see many of the cues that were clearly shown on 60 Minutes.
It is obvious that this is not the exact car shown in the rear-views in the Cadillac styling studio - further suggesting that that car may have been a rumored coupe version of the CTS.
With more in-your-face styling than the current CTS it should be a worthy successor.
Read about it:
Spy Shots: 2008 Cadillac CTS - The Car Connection
It is obvious that this is not the exact car shown in the rear-views in the Cadillac styling studio - further suggesting that that car may have been a rumored coupe version of the CTS.
With more in-your-face styling than the current CTS it should be a worthy successor.
Read about it:
Spy Shots: 2008 Cadillac CTS - The Car Connection
Autoshow Season - Mazdaspeed 3
Well, the waiting is almost over for the highly anticipated high-performance version of the popular Mazda 3 small car.Coming to your local Mazda dealer later this year, the Mazdaspeed 3 (available in the 5-door hatchback body style only) packs the Mazdaspeed 6's turbo, direct-injection 2.3l 4-cylinder with over 250hp (final numbers haven't been released), routed through the Mazdaspeed 6's 6-speed manual transmission to the front wheels (250+ hp, under 3000lb car, front wheels only?...that could be fun, I guess). Helping get the power to the ground is a limited-slip differential as well as electronic torque control that works in the lower 3 gears to help balance turbo boost with the car's ability to use that torque.
Safety equipment includes standard ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and Dynamic Stability Control.
Inside, the Mazdaspeed 3 has aggressively bolstered seats with Mazdaspeed stitched into the seatbacks. Also expect a high level of standard equipment in keeping with the 'Mazdaspeed as flagship' positioning.2007 marks a mid-cycle refresh for the entire Mazda 3 line and brings chassis stiffening to the beast of a 3 (in addition to wider bodywork, 18" wheels, and suitably high-performance tires).
Even without AWD, the Mazdaspeed 3 looks to be an interesting addition to the performance small-car segment. It will be interesting to see how they choose to price this car (hopefully it will be significantly below the high-20's where the Evo and STi's play).