Jaguar XF spotted
The good folks over at Drive.co.au have spotted the new Jaguar XF (replacement for the retro-themed S-Type) undergoing testing.This is yet another move on Jaguar to become a styling leader as they were in their heyday decades ago.
Styling is very similar to the C-XF concept from earlier this year (as expected) with a higher roof-line.
This should be quite a looker and a good sign for Jaguar's future styling and success.
Read all about it at:
Drive.co.au: Jaguar's saviour caught out in the cold
Mitsubishi Evo X spied
We're getting close to an official unveiling of the next Mitsubishi Evo, but until then, we have to make due with spy shots.
Over at LeftLane News, they have a few new spy shots of a disguised Evo undergoing testing.
Expect a turbo version of the 2.0l 'world engine' developed with Chrysler and Hyundai pumping out 300-ish horspower and routing all that juice through all 4-wheels through a manual transmission or an available paddle-shifted automatic.
On-sale date should be 1Q08.
Read all about it at:
LeftLaneNews.com: Spied: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Over at LeftLane News, they have a few new spy shots of a disguised Evo undergoing testing.Expect a turbo version of the 2.0l 'world engine' developed with Chrysler and Hyundai pumping out 300-ish horspower and routing all that juice through all 4-wheels through a manual transmission or an available paddle-shifted automatic.
On-sale date should be 1Q08.
Read all about it at:
LeftLaneNews.com: Spied: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Cadillac BLS Wagon
You may have heard by now, but Cadillac has officially announced its first-ever station wagon...
Of course, you won't be able to get it in the US as it is a variant of the BLS sedan, itself based on GM's Epsilon chassis shared with the Saab 9-3 (in fact, the BLS is built alongside the 9-3) as well as the Chevy Malibu, Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura, and Opel Vectra.
BLS sales have been pretty slow since its debut, so this addition should help to boost sales a bit.
Read more about it at:
the CaddyEdge.com
Of course, you won't be able to get it in the US as it is a variant of the BLS sedan, itself based on GM's Epsilon chassis shared with the Saab 9-3 (in fact, the BLS is built alongside the 9-3) as well as the Chevy Malibu, Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura, and Opel Vectra.BLS sales have been pretty slow since its debut, so this addition should help to boost sales a bit.
Read more about it at:
the CaddyEdge.com
New Lexus LX to debut in New York
...and the Japanese luxury vehicle announcements just keep a-comin'
Today, Toyota announced that they will be showing the new LX sport utility at the New York Auto Show in April.
Replacing the LX470, the LX570 appears to be equipped with a version of the new 5.7l V-8 that Toyota recently debuted in the new Tundra pickup.
Horsepower numbers should be well into the 300's with ample torque. Unfortunately, if the current LX is any indicator, the new LX will be one heavy beast - so it needs that kind of power.
More details and pictures once the debut happens next month.
Today, Toyota announced that they will be showing the new LX sport utility at the New York Auto Show in April.
Replacing the LX470, the LX570 appears to be equipped with a version of the new 5.7l V-8 that Toyota recently debuted in the new Tundra pickup.
Horsepower numbers should be well into the 300's with ample torque. Unfortunately, if the current LX is any indicator, the new LX will be one heavy beast - so it needs that kind of power.
More details and pictures once the debut happens next month.
Infiniti EX concept
Infiniti is arguably the first company to produce a sport-coupe-esque SUV with their FX line. Now we get word of another announcement due at the NY Auto Show in April...the EX concept.
Expected to be a smaller SUV than the FX, the EX is expected to strongly preview a baby-brother to the FX that will go on sale before the end of 2007.
Expected to be a smaller SUV than the FX, the EX is expected to strongly preview a baby-brother to the FX that will go on sale before the end of 2007.
Infiniti names new G Coupe
Okay, the new G35 sedan is a screamer with it's 3.5l V-6 pumping out 300-ish horsepower.
However, there's a new head honcho for the G-line in the form of the replacement for the G35 coupe. Infiniti announced today that it would be going by the name of G37 and, assuming that this isn't just a name change to differentiate and that the 37 means a 3.7l V-6...
We are looking at a significant power boost - figure in the 320 range, at least.
This could also bode well for a new engine or upper model for the 350Z (370Z anyone?).
Of course, this could also turn out to be a turbo model (no support for that, just conjecturing) of the 3.5...which would suggest an even more significant performance boost.
Stay tuned for details.
However, there's a new head honcho for the G-line in the form of the replacement for the G35 coupe. Infiniti announced today that it would be going by the name of G37 and, assuming that this isn't just a name change to differentiate and that the 37 means a 3.7l V-6...
We are looking at a significant power boost - figure in the 320 range, at least.This could also bode well for a new engine or upper model for the 350Z (370Z anyone?).
Of course, this could also turn out to be a turbo model (no support for that, just conjecturing) of the 3.5...which would suggest an even more significant performance boost.
Stay tuned for details.
Hyundai Genesis - did we really need a rear-drive Camry?
For all the work Hyundai and Kia have done to make their cars competitive with the best in the industry - there is one place where they still are years behind...styling.
They understand fit and finish, build quality, perceived quality, and a myriad of things that customers want.
They just don't yet 'get' what styling should be about for any manufacturer.
Witness just about any car they've done to date (the current Sonata is a mild exception)...they either ape a competitor's product or look like some alien contraption.
Another lesson about styling they have yet to learn - find a corporate look and stick with it. Buyers need to be able to say 'that is a Hyundai' or 'that is a Kia' without having to look for the badge.
The latest example of this lack of understanding of auto styling are these renderings of the Hyundai Genesis concept that will debut in April at the New York Auto Show. The front has elements of the current Toyota Camry/Avalon. The rear seems Infiniti/Lincoln MKZ-esque.The Japanese went through this phase as well, so it is reasonable to expect that the Koreans will get there eventually. It just makes me sad to see yet another missed opportunity.
Mini makes it official - new model to be dubbed 'Clubman'
Sorry to all of you (us) that were still holding onto the hope that Mini would name their new, longer model the 'Traveler' - it appears that trademark concerns have made that name impossible to get.So, 'sometime' before the end of the year, Mini will bring out the Mini Clubman with dutch rear doors, a suicide door on the passenger side (to make accessing the new, bigger rear seat easier).
Executives promise to maintain the classic Mini go-kart driving feel...we'll see.