Carscoop Stumbles Upon Honda Insight Production Photo Motherload
Jan 5, 2009
The blog site Carscoop has hit the jackpot today, digging up 23 leaked photos of the European-spec Honda Insight that will debut at next week's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The differences between the U.S. version and the European version should be pretty minimal, so gaze away at what Honda will be unveiling in a few days. It looks a bit smaller than the first official photo (it was published a few weeks ago) hinted at, but it does look decent. Among the shots are pictures of the gauge cluster, which appears to change colors between blue and green and prominently display's Honda's "Integrated Motor Assist" title given to its mild hybrids. See all the shots here.
Suzuki Shelving Plans for Production Kizashi
Jan 5, 2009
Then there are the little-known victims of the global economic crunch: Suzuki Motors is putting plans for its upcoming large car on indefinite hold, according to Automotive News. While it's safe to say that there isn't a wet eye in the house over that news in North America, where Suzuki is best known for selling rebadged Daewoos and snarky little 4x4s, the Kizashi project's cancellation has reverberating effects in Suzuki's more prosperous markets. In India, for instance, Suzuki's compacts command about half of total new-car sales, and the Kizashi promised to be Suzuki's upmarket stepping-stone for the country's newly prosperous middle class and slumdog millionaires.
It's doubtful that many in the financial sector wept for the loss of Suzuki's grand sedan, either. Shares of Suzuki's stock rose 3.4 percent on the announcement.
Hyundai Releases Two Range-Topping Equus Sedan Sketches
Jan 5, 2009
If the new Hyundai Genesis sedan is too bland for your taste, may we present these two sketches of the upcoming Equus. The two big Hyundais obviously have some of that "common DNA" we hear all the designers talk about, but the Equus is undeniably more dramatic. And is that a hood ornament sticking up? Wow--it is. Not much is know about the Equus, but rumor says it'll have a larger-displacement version of the Genesis' V-8 producing over 400 hp, and that it should have a nice range of luxury car technologies. But will it be sold in the U.S? Well, maybe if the Genesis turns proves to have a wildly successful first year there will be a chance.
2009 Detroit Auto Show: 2010 Cadillac SRX Debuts
Jan 5, 2009
The debut of the second-generation Cadillac SRX crossover has been a slow trickle--we saw a concept, the Provoq, last year, and the first pictures of the production model were released in August as part of Cadillac's Pebble Beach Concours activities. Yesterday, however, Cadillac spilled all the beans (unless of course we are to believe that a Volt-based SRX hybrid is still in hiding.) The new SRX does have a few obvious disadvantages over its predecessor, namely the old vehicle's rear-drive configuration and third row of seating. Still, the new SRX promises to be a good driver.
At the heart of the SRX are two new engines that are both smaller and more powerful than the units they replace. A 3.0-liter direct-injection V-6 comes standard and produces 260 hp, five more than the outgoing SRX V-6. An optional 300 hp, 295 lb-ft turbocharged 2.8-liter borrowed from the Saab 9-3 Turbo X serves up about the same power figures as the CTS sedan's 3.6-liter direct-injection V-6. Fuel economy hasn't been finalized for either engine, but Cadillac claims highway numbers will be in the mid-twenties. Both engines should work well, but the days of the rear-drive, V-8 SRX will certainly be missed.
The SRX borrows more than just an engine from Saab's Turbo X (you didn't think they'd put to much effort into parts built just for a production run of 600 units, did you?) The Caddy also uses that car's all-wheel drive system, meaning it benefits from an electronic limited-slip rear differential. That means 100 percent of the power can be sent to either end of the axle. We've driven Saab's version, and it is pretty good. In addition to all the new technology, the SRX gets attractive new styling and a well-appointed, CTS-inspired interior.
Camaro Racks Up 10,000 Pre-orders
Dec 30, 2008
GM has reason to crow as the year winds down — the Camaro isn't even on sale yet, but already it has 10,000 orders submitted. Mark LaNeve, GM's head of North American sales and marketing, told Automotive News that the General expected the makeup to be mostly V-8 models, but a "considerable amount" of Camaro pre-sales are the 300-horsepower V-6. "It's kind of a sign of the times," he tells the periodical.
All the high-fives may be for naught if Cadence Innovation, an interior supplier for the Camaro, doesn't get its collective act together. Like most agreements between manufacturers and suppliers, GM has handed over the tooling for the Camaro's interior to Cadence. Unfortunately, Cadence then filedfor bankruptcy, and GM's machinery is being held up in the limbo between receivership and an employee buyout that would revive the company. Unless GM's goods are delivered by January 12th, the start of Camaro production will be delayed.
Everyone's Soul Has a Price, Including Kia's
Dec 30, 2008
A leaked graphic over at Kia World has revealed the pricing structure for American-market Kia Souls, with a base 1.6-liter Soul starting at just $13,995 (including destination), and a fully loaded Soul Sport with automatic and sunroof chiming in for $19,295. Did we mention that price also includes Bluetooth? Click through to our forums to see what kind of outlay the rest of the Soul lineup commands.
Push-button Automated Self-Parking Debuting in Lincoln MKT, MKS
Dec 30, 2008
Lexus stole headlines with its self-parking LS460 a few years back, and Volkswagen's even gotten in on the game, offering automatic parking on European-market Sharan minivans and Tiguan CUVs. Now Ford promises to leapfrog both systems with Active Park Assist, debuting on the Lincoln MKS sedan and MKT wagon crossover.
Unlike the Lexus system, which requires several layers of touch-screen menus to activate and uses cameras to determine available spaced, Ford's APA operates through a single pushbutton and relies on ultrasonic sensors. The system will identify parking spots large enough to fit into, and will steer the car into place while the driver operates the gas and brake pedals. It's supposed to work in both up- and down-hill parking spots, as well. What we don't know is how much it'll cost.
2009 Nissan 370Z Pricing Fully Announced, Sales Begin Today
Dec 30, 2008
We already knew the 2009 Nissan 370Z's base price would be $29,930, but today--the first day the car will be offered up at dealers--the company has announced full pricing for all models and options. Buyers wanting the 7-speed automatic, for example, will need to pony up $31,230. For the Touring model, which adds leather seats and a few other options, the prices will be $34,460 for the 6-speed manual and $35,760 for the auto. From there, the biggest add-ons from the short option list include a $3000 sport package (19-inch wheels, Bridgestone tires, an aero kit, big brakes, a limited-slip, and the SyncroRev Match feature) and a $1850 navigation package. A full pricing chart is posted after the jump.
In addition to the pricing announcement, Nissan has also decided to simplify its "SHIFT_" taglines by ditching the many words that have followed and settling on one line that'll cover the whole product line. So from now on, every ad you see will say, "SHIFT_the way you move." We know, you're thrilled.
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MotiveMag.com is an independent media publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any automobile manufacturer.