BMW X1 concept

A concept. sure...
This is pretty much what the small 1 series BMW X1 crossover/SUV thingy will look like when it shows up next year.
And i think it does look a bit weird, and boring at the same time. It has the awkwardness of the new 7 series in front, while retaining the same profile as the X5. A very boring and quite unattractive combination if you ask me.

But who does.. Really...

New Buick Regal

Actually a rebadged version of the new Opel Insignia, as you can see.
It's basically an Opel with a Buick grille. And it still looks good.

So far this is for China only. Although there have been some rumors lately about offering this in the US alongside the all new, but larger, LaCrosse. Even though the LaCrosse is based on the same platform.
I think both cars would be too close, but who knows....

More and bigger pictures of the Miata

No that I see it better, I'm not sure that more aggressive front end really goes well with the rest of the car.
Maybe it's just the pictures...

A good looking car anyway...

2009 Honda Element

I guess a new front means no "all new" Element for a while...
This one might turn out to be Honda's Crown Victoria.
A little update every couple of years. Never a new one.

The design is so odd I guess it could be called timeless.
I drove a couple of them over the years and never came out impressed. It never felt very solid to me, I guess with all these holes in the structure.
And it didn't feel like driving, but rather moving a small living room in a forward position. At freeway speed.
Weird...

But I guess most owners love theirs...

Revised Mazda Miata

Nothing major, but it does look quite a bit more aggressive.
Basically, they didn't ruin it. Which is great.

I love the new tan interior but can't see anything new in there. Let's hope at least they added an iPod plug.
I am supposed to drive a Miata at the end of next month. So mine will still be the current model ( I assume).

I'll be reporting on it at that time...

Chevrolet Cruze

Well...
At least the Daewoo version for the Korean market. Notice the different, and more conservative, front grille.

A good looking car.
Will it be good looking enough next year?

New Mini Convertible

Basically the convertible version of the "new' Mini that came out last year.
Looks like the top fold a bit flatter than before. And the rollover protection now pops out when needed. Just like in the New Beetle convertible.
Plus the new engines etc...

But that blind spot with the top up doesn't seem to get any better, does it...

Goodbye Mr. Paul Newman

1925-2008

Hyundai i20 interior

Not bad at all for a car smaller and cheaper than the Accent.

And, yes, Hyundai is now actually considering the i20 for the US market. There were even talks about the smaller i10. But it was decided the i10 is just too small for the US market. It wouldn't be worth it for them to import it.

Next Mercedes E class

Now, this looks like the real thing to me.
What do you think?

Still, what is the deal (In 2008!) with these small wheels on a $50 000 car???
Be sure to check out WheelHQ.com and their large selection of
Mercedes Wheels.

Hyundai i20

The new i20 replaces the Getz. A small car that was never sold in the US.

But Hyundai is now seriously considering importing the i20 over here.
It would be a car cheaper than the $11 000 Accent.
And a Hybrid version is in the works as well.

A good idea if you ask me. I think the "small a fuel efficient" car market will pretty much explode in the US over the next few years. And whoever has something in that segment will be cashing in.

Hyundai Sant Fe Hybrid

Sure, this is just the "concept" version for the Paris Auto Show.

But this will come out very soon
as a production model. Using a 2.4 Liter gas engine on top of the electric motor. Matted to a 6 speed auto.
Apparently getting 38mpg average.

This is really good news.

Let's hope the dual sunroof set up also makes it to production...

More pictures of the Chevrolet Cruze

Engines will include (at least in Europe) a 1.8 Liter with 170hp. And a 2.0 Liter diesel.

Plus, of course, the new 1,4 Liter Turbo that we'll be getting over here too.
The interior starts looking a bit plasticky. I guess that's to be expected in a car replacing the Coblat.
But still looking pretty nice.
We'll see...

Kia Soul Hybrid coming up!

Kia will be showing a concept verion of the Soul Hybrid at the Paris auto show.
It uses a 122hp gas engine, while the electric motor adds another 20.
The whole thing averaging 48 MPH (US).

I can't wait to see this.

Wasn't Toyota one of the pioneers in Hybrid technology? What happened to a Scion Hybrid???
How come Kia got the idea first?

Chevrolet Cruze

Just thought these PR photos were kind of interesting just because they show a bit of the Chevy Cruze in another color...

Here is the official text that came with it:

"United Auto Workers Vice President Cal Rapson, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner check out the 2010 Chevrolet Cruze Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, in Flint, Michigan. Wagoner announced GM will be building a new $359 million engine plant in Flint to produce two new 4-cylinder engines for use in the Cruze and Chevrolet Volt."

More and better pictures of the new VW GTI

New VW Golf GTI

Again, the Golf/Rabbit's sporty brother.
This time it gets a little bump in power, to 207hp, and the "new" exterior. Plus the real new interior.

I like the GTI the way it is now. So I guess this could only be better, even if it's not "all new" like they say.

Another 2010 Ford Mustang interior shot

And it does look very nice.
I like how the console and door armrests seem to curve a little. Much more interesting than the usual flat ones.

I can't want to see the real thing in a few weeks.



AmericanMuscle.com will soon be stocking
2010 Mustang
Parts.

Chubby nerd pretends to steal a car

Showing us what the new Onstar feature looks like.
This is a great idea.

The Onstar, not being a chubby nerd...

Even more pictures of the Chevrolet Orlando

With an interior very similar to the new Cruze...

Ford Fiesta Van

Interesting. A panel van version of the all new Fiesta.
Many small cars are available that way in Europe.

I guess this won't be making it over here when the US Ford Fiesta goes on sale.

Chevrolet Orlando Concept

Sure would have been nice to get this one over here...

Mini Crossover Concept video

Not much. But at least it's moving, a little bit.
Again, the interior seems pure concept, something we;ll never see.

Remember the Clubman concept? The production Clubman turned out to just look like a longer Mini.

Next BMW Z4 kind of like the old Z8?

From this interior shot at least,it looks like the dash might be a little retro, like the old Z8.

The Z8 was an amazing looking car, with a great interior. It would be kind of nice if the new Z4 was influenced by it. If only a little bit...

"Flash of Genius" trailer.

One film I won't miss.

Makes you want to buy a Ford, doesn't it...

Fiat 500 Abarth

The Sporty version of the cute Fiat 500 is out in public.
A still cute, but more aggressive little car with now 160hp. Enough for plenty of fun.

This should be great competition for the Mini Cooper S.

Now let's find a way to get these over here... Please....