New Subaru WRX breaks cover - courtesy Motor Trend
Well, there's been lots of turmoil over at Subaru with regard to styling (witness the corporate face they played with on the Tribeca and then quickly walked away from when customers balked). Now we can see yet another direction with the new WRX hatchback.
Personally - I think the front end is hideous. The rest is simply okay.
Now, performance specs might change my mind a bit...but Subaru really needs someone who can draw pretty cars on the payroll.
Check out the rest of this pic as well as more pictures from Motor Trend's spread (in their new May issue) at:
NASIOC: New 2008 WRX from Motor Trend
Personally - I think the front end is hideous. The rest is simply okay.Now, performance specs might change my mind a bit...but Subaru really needs someone who can draw pretty cars on the payroll.
Check out the rest of this pic as well as more pictures from Motor Trend's spread (in their new May issue) at:
NASIOC: New 2008 WRX from Motor Trend
Hyundai Genesis - real pics
Finally, Hyundai has put out some actual photos of the Genesis concept. I still think it bears more than a passing resemblance to some other products already on the market (the Toyota Avalon comes to mind first).
This 'concept' previews a new rear-drive, V-6 and V-8 powered Hyundai that we should be seeing in production very soon.Expect the V-8 model to start under 30k and pack over 300hp.
I guess that explains the naming...new baby crossover CX-5 coming from Mazda
I wondered when Mazda brought out the CX-7 based loosely on Mazda3 components, why they went with such a high number.
Then, they brought out a Mazda6 based CX-9 (cousin to the Ford Edge) and I wondered the same thing all over again.
Now, Auto Express is showing a rendering based on the recent Hakaze concept that shows what a sub-CX-7 crossover with Mazda's new design language could look like.
Expect this to be more in line, size-wise, with the Mazda3 (the CX-7 is a bit bigger), seating for 4, comfortably, powered by a non-turbo 4-cylinder. It would be available in front or all-wheel drive with either a manual or automatic tranny. Instead of 4 conventional doors, expect a very RX-8 like treatment with suicide rear-doors offering exceptional access to the back seat.
While AE expects the CX-5 to hit the ground as a 2010 vehicle, we've been hearing from Mazda that the concepts they have shown this year would culminate with a production-ish vehicle at the end. Given that, I'd expect to see a CX-5 early in the next auto show season (which starts in September 2007). Then again, the Hakaze could have been the 'production-ish' one also.
Of course, why these crossovers aren't named CX-3, CX-6, CX-9 in keeping with Mazda tradition is beyond me.
AutoExpress.com: Baby Mazda to face Freelander
Then, they brought out a Mazda6 based CX-9 (cousin to the Ford Edge) and I wondered the same thing all over again.Now, Auto Express is showing a rendering based on the recent Hakaze concept that shows what a sub-CX-7 crossover with Mazda's new design language could look like.
Expect this to be more in line, size-wise, with the Mazda3 (the CX-7 is a bit bigger), seating for 4, comfortably, powered by a non-turbo 4-cylinder. It would be available in front or all-wheel drive with either a manual or automatic tranny. Instead of 4 conventional doors, expect a very RX-8 like treatment with suicide rear-doors offering exceptional access to the back seat.While AE expects the CX-5 to hit the ground as a 2010 vehicle, we've been hearing from Mazda that the concepts they have shown this year would culminate with a production-ish vehicle at the end. Given that, I'd expect to see a CX-5 early in the next auto show season (which starts in September 2007). Then again, the Hakaze could have been the 'production-ish' one also.
Of course, why these crossovers aren't named CX-3, CX-6, CX-9 in keeping with Mazda tradition is beyond me.
AutoExpress.com: Baby Mazda to face Freelander
It's still on its way...Caliber SRT-4
According to a chat with the SRT guys held at the CaliberForums.com site, we should be seeing SRT-4's on the streets come fall of this year (of course, assuming that Chrysler's new masters are okay with such hooligan-ism).Remember, the Caliber SRT-4 is a turbo 2.4l powered front-driver packing at least 300hp. Seeing how Mazda needed computer trickery to get the Mazdaspeed3's 260hp to flow well - it will be interesting to see how Dodge manages the trick of putting down an additional 15% over the Mazda.
It should be interesting, if not all that refined an experience.
Kappa + Zeta = Alpha? Pontiac G6 to go rear-drive
Gotta love those crazy engineers at GM.
For some time now, we've been hearing that GM planned to take the Pontiac line in a rear-drive-only direction.
The Solstice, while an example of this, certainly was no proof. Then the Grand Prix replacement went to the Zeta chassis as the G8 it started to look like there might be something to all this talk.
However, it has always bothered me that the G6 could not easily make the transition. It is based on GM's Epsilon global front-drive platform. Even though the 2nd generation Epsilon2 is supposed to have all-wheel drive as an option...all-wheel drive just isn't the same as rear-wheel drive. Especially to enthusiasts. How did GM plan to take a mid-sized sedan to this new rear-drive Pontiac ethic?
Now, word comes that GM is far into development of a new platform...part Kappa, part Zeta...and going by the name 'Alpha'.
This chassis will serve as the basis for both the next generation G6 as well as it's Euro-cousin in the Cadillac lineup, the BLS.
Now that this puzzle piece has fallen into place, we can only hope that we will soon hear rumblings of a Kappa based small sedan/coupe to replace the current Cobalt-clone G5...perhaps with the G4 name.
Ah, a fun time to be a GM fan no matter how you slice it.
Winding Road: GM's Next RWD Platform: Alpha
For some time now, we've been hearing that GM planned to take the Pontiac line in a rear-drive-only direction.
The Solstice, while an example of this, certainly was no proof. Then the Grand Prix replacement went to the Zeta chassis as the G8 it started to look like there might be something to all this talk.However, it has always bothered me that the G6 could not easily make the transition. It is based on GM's Epsilon global front-drive platform. Even though the 2nd generation Epsilon2 is supposed to have all-wheel drive as an option...all-wheel drive just isn't the same as rear-wheel drive. Especially to enthusiasts. How did GM plan to take a mid-sized sedan to this new rear-drive Pontiac ethic?
Now, word comes that GM is far into development of a new platform...part Kappa, part Zeta...and going by the name 'Alpha'.
This chassis will serve as the basis for both the next generation G6 as well as it's Euro-cousin in the Cadillac lineup, the BLS.
Now that this puzzle piece has fallen into place, we can only hope that we will soon hear rumblings of a Kappa based small sedan/coupe to replace the current Cobalt-clone G5...perhaps with the G4 name.
Ah, a fun time to be a GM fan no matter how you slice it.
Winding Road: GM's Next RWD Platform: Alpha
New Taurus SHO in the works - with turbo power?
The good folks over at Jalopnik have been hearing rumblings lately of a resurrection of the high-performance Taurus.
It appears that a couple mules are testing, one with the Yamaha developed V-8 that traces it roots back to the 2nd generation SHO's 3.4 - but is much more stout in the Volvo cars that use it now (XC90, S80, etc.).
More exciting, if less of a nod to the original SHOs would be a mule running around with a twin-turbo 3.5l 'Twin-Force' V-6 - packing well over 400hp!
Let's just hope they are smart enough to make a manual transmission at least optional on this beast - if it actually makes production.
Concept image courtesy of BringBackTheSHO.com
It appears that a couple mules are testing, one with the Yamaha developed V-8 that traces it roots back to the 2nd generation SHO's 3.4 - but is much more stout in the Volvo cars that use it now (XC90, S80, etc.).More exciting, if less of a nod to the original SHOs would be a mule running around with a twin-turbo 3.5l 'Twin-Force' V-6 - packing well over 400hp!
Let's just hope they are smart enough to make a manual transmission at least optional on this beast - if it actually makes production.
Concept image courtesy of BringBackTheSHO.com
GM plans 7 debuts at New York show
While news is trickling in of what will come from various automakers at the New York show in April, we do know a bit about GM's plans.
Expect 6 new production vehicles as well as 1 concept to make their world debuts at the NYAS.
Already known of the 6 production cars are the Lucerne and LaCrosse 'Super' packages. LaCrosse is also expected to get a freshening, so it might count as one of the 6 as well.
Also due could be a mid-cycle refresh of the Cadillac STS (we've seen the interior over at CaddyEdge.com already) as well as the expected HHR SS.
The concept is a complete unknown at this point - but this should make for a great cap to the auto show season for the resurgent GM.
Expect 6 new production vehicles as well as 1 concept to make their world debuts at the NYAS.Already known of the 6 production cars are the Lucerne and LaCrosse 'Super' packages. LaCrosse is also expected to get a freshening, so it might count as one of the 6 as well.
Also due could be a mid-cycle refresh of the Cadillac STS (we've seen the interior over at CaddyEdge.com already) as well as the expected HHR SS.
The concept is a complete unknown at this point - but this should make for a great cap to the auto show season for the resurgent GM.
Ford to debut production version of the Fairlane at NY show
It appears that Ford is ready to unveil the production people-mover, based in part on its Fairlane concept from 2005 (concept shown here).
Now, we had been warned that Fairlane would likely not be the name, and the latest reports bear that out. Expect this 3-row, 7-seater, non-minivan to carry the 'Flex' name when it debuts the first week of April at the New York Auto Show.
Interestingly, the Flex is expected to have what Ford is calling 'French Doors' rather than rear sliders (too minivan-y, I suppose) or even conventional opening rear doors. I'm sure a lot will be made of this design and name (since 'suicide doors' is something the marketers shy away from).
The only question I'll have is how they will significantly differentiate this from the Taurus X (old Freestyle) that is also a 3-row, 7-seat people mover at about the same price point.
Lincoln will also get a version of the Flex, but that won't debut until later in the year.
Read about it at:
The Car Connection: Ford Flex Replacing Minivan in NY
Now, we had been warned that Fairlane would likely not be the name, and the latest reports bear that out. Expect this 3-row, 7-seater, non-minivan to carry the 'Flex' name when it debuts the first week of April at the New York Auto Show.Interestingly, the Flex is expected to have what Ford is calling 'French Doors' rather than rear sliders (too minivan-y, I suppose) or even conventional opening rear doors. I'm sure a lot will be made of this design and name (since 'suicide doors' is something the marketers shy away from).
The only question I'll have is how they will significantly differentiate this from the Taurus X (old Freestyle) that is also a 3-row, 7-seat people mover at about the same price point.
Lincoln will also get a version of the Flex, but that won't debut until later in the year.
Read about it at:
The Car Connection: Ford Flex Replacing Minivan in NY