Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Acura TSX wagon

As mentioned before, pretty much the Euro version with an Acura front end. Which is what the sedan is anyway.

Not sure about pricing, or even engines yet.  A V6 option might be pretty pricey for such a small market...

Run away Prius?


Is this just another dim witted driver, or a real Prius problem?
The cops had to tell him to use the emergency brake, he just could figure it out on his own.

What do you think?

European Chevrolet test drives coming up


That's right.

I will be in Europe for a few days, and will be test driving 2 new Chevrolets.

First the all new Spark with a 1.0 Liter engine.
The US might be getting a larger 1.2 Liter, but it will still be interesting to see how this little car compare to others. Mainly the Versa in the US.

I will also be driving a European version of the Cruze. My car will have a 1.7 Liter Diesel not offered in the US.
It'll also be very interesting to finally drive the Cruze, even with a "no-for-the-US" engine.

You can send me any questions you might have about these cars.

Opel Astra Wagon

We all new it was coming. As well as a sporty coupe for later.

The Astra sedan will be sold here next year as the smallest Buick, so this might also make it across the Atlantic.
Just like its big brother the Insignia wagon will be our Regal wagon.

We'll have to see. Ford already claimed the new Focus wagon is NOT coming over here.
GM might just be doing the same and keep this for the European market after all...

Monday, March 08, 2010

2011 Acura TSX Wagon coming up

An easy transfer: it will basically be the same car that has been on sale in Europe as the Accord Wagon. Except for the big Acura grille.


It will compete here with the Audi A4 wagon and the upcoming Buick Regal wagon.

We will be seeing it in a few weeks at the New York auto show.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

2012 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon



Pretty much a no brainer. There is already a "V" version of the coupe, so it was just a matter of time for the wagon to get the V8 option.
I must say, after seeing it in person, the wagon has to be one of the best looking cars around.

The whole CTS line up really looks great.

I can't wait to see the small ATS, which is rumored to come as a coupe and a convertible, as well as a sedan.

2010 Geneva Auto Show




Cars and legs...

Lexus CT coming to the US next year.

This will be the smallest and cheapest Lexus model.

So far, it uses the same 1.8 Liter engine as the Prius. Unlike the HS sedan which uses a larger 2.4 Liter, and only gets a 35mpg rating.
(Unless they decide to go with the larger engine for the US.)
Let's hope the smaller CT gets closer to the Prius's 50mpg.
Otherwise, it will be a flop. Which is pretty much what happened to the HS.

They have to understand the main reason why people buy hybrids: gas mileage.
Not because they're the best cars in the world.
So a 35mpg hybrid is sure to fail.

By the way, most people who have driven the Audi A3 diesel in the US average almost 40mpg.
The A3 is a few years old (new design coming withing a year or 2), and it still looks so much better than the "not out yet" Lexus.

We'll see....



Bentley Continental Flying Star wagon





Or what they usually call a Shooting Brake.


This 2 door wagon version of the Bentley coupe is made by Carrozzeria Touring Superggera.
And only 20 of them will be produced.
Price? Over $800 000.

Which is pretty crazy for a wagon version of a sub $200 000 car.
But again.. Just 20 of them....

Friday, March 05, 2010

GQ "By Citroen"

Quite a good looking concept from Citroen.
Just wondering if any of it will end up as a production coupe.

Thursday, March 04, 2010

2011 Mercedes R Class


For its 5th year in production, the big "non-SUV/non-minivan/non-wagon Mercedes will just get what people call a facelift. Not an all new design.

That means a new front and rear. Not much. Plus updated engines, and maybe some new trim inside.

The R class has never been very popular. They had planned about 50 000 sales a year worldwide. But they could barely reach 13 000 in 2007.

I guess they won't spend cash on an all new model anytime soon...