Geez...Pontiac replacing the Vibe
Just when you thought GM's product planners had a good idea for Pontiac...
It appears that the Vibe will return for a second generation. Expect sportier handling, more refined interior, etc. in this twin to the Toyota Matrix (rumored to be called Blade in its second generation).
What happened to the RWD plan for Pontiac? Like the G5 coupe (twin to the Cobalt coupe from Chevrolet), it appears the GM is simply unable to tell their dealers 'no.'
Expect the Vibe replacement to continue Pontiac's move to a G'x' naming scheme.
See a larger version of this spy shot over at:
The Car Connection: Spies catch the next Pontiac Vibe
It appears that the Vibe will return for a second generation. Expect sportier handling, more refined interior, etc. in this twin to the Toyota Matrix (rumored to be called Blade in its second generation).What happened to the RWD plan for Pontiac? Like the G5 coupe (twin to the Cobalt coupe from Chevrolet), it appears the GM is simply unable to tell their dealers 'no.'
Expect the Vibe replacement to continue Pontiac's move to a G'x' naming scheme.
See a larger version of this spy shot over at:
The Car Connection: Spies catch the next Pontiac Vibe
Future Saturn - Opel shows Corsa OPC
Opel, GM's Euro-brand that serves as a partner for our Saturn, has just shown off the top model of their entry-level car, the Corsa OPC.
This fall we will get the 3 and 5-door versions of the Astra hatchback, the Corsa's big brother. GM has also made it clear that, when the Corsa is redesigned in a few years, that a Saturn version would be on the way.
I'd be all for bringing this little pocket-rocket over as-is. 190hp, 0-60 in 6.8 seconds, 38+ mpg in the UK combined test (imperial gallons, remember - US numbers would be closer to 32mpg).
This would make a great competitor against such B-class cars as the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris which top out under 110hp (though they do get better mileage - but a base Corsa could compete handily with that).
Check out the pictures of the Vauxhall (UK brand that sells Opel cars) Corsa VXR at:
CAR: Vauxhall Corsa VXR
This fall we will get the 3 and 5-door versions of the Astra hatchback, the Corsa's big brother. GM has also made it clear that, when the Corsa is redesigned in a few years, that a Saturn version would be on the way.I'd be all for bringing this little pocket-rocket over as-is. 190hp, 0-60 in 6.8 seconds, 38+ mpg in the UK combined test (imperial gallons, remember - US numbers would be closer to 32mpg).
This would make a great competitor against such B-class cars as the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris which top out under 110hp (though they do get better mileage - but a base Corsa could compete handily with that).
Check out the pictures of the Vauxhall (UK brand that sells Opel cars) Corsa VXR at:
CAR: Vauxhall Corsa VXR
New roadster from BMW
Lots of controversy about this one. Is this a new model from BMW (Z6?) or is it merely a new version of the Z4?
The question arises because this is obviously bigger than the current Z4 (which itself was bigger than its predecessor the Z3). BMW is also expected to be working on a smaller roadster based on the 1-series car.
There is also an expected roadster meant to compete against the SL from Mercedes.
Given that BMW is expected to stick with even numbered models for the roadsters...I'd expect the 1-series based model to be dubbed Z2, this car to be the new Z4 (bigger only to make room for the Z2) and then the SL competitor to be the Z6 (and, as yet, unseen).
Additional confusion has arisen from the fact that this car has been seen with a retractable hard-top, but this would make sense for a mid-range luxury convertible (expect the Z2 to have a fabric roof).
Read all about it at:
WorldCarFans.com: Spy Photos: BMW Z4 with Roof Down
The question arises because this is obviously bigger than the current Z4 (which itself was bigger than its predecessor the Z3). BMW is also expected to be working on a smaller roadster based on the 1-series car.
There is also an expected roadster meant to compete against the SL from Mercedes.Given that BMW is expected to stick with even numbered models for the roadsters...I'd expect the 1-series based model to be dubbed Z2, this car to be the new Z4 (bigger only to make room for the Z2) and then the SL competitor to be the Z6 (and, as yet, unseen).
Additional confusion has arisen from the fact that this car has been seen with a retractable hard-top, but this would make sense for a mid-range luxury convertible (expect the Z2 to have a fabric roof).
Read all about it at:
WorldCarFans.com: Spy Photos: BMW Z4 with Roof Down
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.