Toyota Echo?

This is the all new Toyota Vitz.
Which is the japanese hatchback version of our Echo.
The Vitz is also sold in Europe as the Yaris.
So Europe will get this.
But it is not sure the Echo will survive the Scion brand in the US.
Maybe in Canada, where the hatchback version is already on sale.
Engines are the same 1.5 Liter. With 1.3 and 1.0 available
in Japan. And so is a 4 WD option!
The 1.5 2WD has a CVT automatic.

Let's hope at least, that Toyotas are finally getting more modern. Maybe the next Corolla will finally
look decent.
Seems like the next Civic might look pretty modern...

Alfa Romeo Brera

That is one super good looking car.
It might still come to the US if GM can keep parts of its deal with Fiat.
It is just a little shorter than a 3 series BMW.
And the engines are a 2.2 Liter with 185hp.
Or a 3.2 Liter V6 with 260hp!

And it's a hatchback with a glass roof!!!


As you can see, the production model didn't stay too far from the concept from a couple of years ago.
Except of course, the doors. And the sales people won't look that good.


The Brera will replace the GTV. The current GTV was never sold in the US.


Remember this one?
I think this was the last one sold in the US.

Audi A3 testing

Not sure why, but they are testing the 3 door version of the Audi A3 in
the Hollywood Hills...
Maybe a new engine. Go figure...

Kojak's car!!!

That's right. The same car the Greek bold lolypop sucking detective was
driving in the streets on Nyw York back in the good old 70's!
Now in the streets of North Hollywood...


If it's too hard to get your hand on the real thing. But you can stil get this...


The legend...

Future Mitsubishis

Mitsubishi just announced a new deal with French car maker Peugeot/Citroen.
There seems to also be a strange connection with Nissan. I mean strange because Nissan is run by rival Renault (???).

Seems like Mitsubishi will provide Peugeot with an all new SUV.
From these pictures here, this production ready concept is obviously a Mitsubishi version of that project...

But it looks much nicer already than the Outlander we have in the US.
Not great, but better.
It's kind of funny that they don't get the basics: they need something drastic to make a come back. Like Nissan did.
But they seem to be doing the same thing over and over. Putting out new models that are just barely
more exiting than the previous ones...


They claim they are still on track to produce this small car by 2007.
A truly modern design that seems to be based on the Smart Forfour. A deal that dates back when Mitsubishi and
Mercedes were partners.
Weird...

Subaru Forester

It looks like the current Forester will be around for a while.
They just spend money redesigning the front, back and interior.
The new front makes the little wagon look more macho.
(The red one is the current model)
But it doesn't match at all the new front end design that all the new Subarus are supposed to have...
Like the new Tribeca.

I guess they save that for the "real" new one.

BMW 7 Series

It still doesn't look right, but it is better than before.
(the smaller pics are the new car)
The main problem to me, is that weird trunk cut that you see on the profile of the car.
And thay can't fix that unless they redesign the whole thing.
The 5 and the 6 series have it too. They finally realized how horrible and
cheap it looks, so the all new 3 does NOT have it.
Inside, the top of the dash is now color coordinated for a more luxurious look.
There is nothing wrong with looking luxurious at these prices, even for a BMW!
But the horrible Buick-like looking dash that doesn't fit the rest of the interior is still there.

I still think anything else in this price range looks better and has way more class than this...

Spyker!

A cross from the Batmobile and something out of the movie "Brazil"!!!

These amazing cars from Holland aren't cheap. They can top over $300 000.
But what else is out there for that price? Let's see...
Bentley, Rolls Royce, Mayback. All of these are boring geeser cars!!!
This is something else!!!

I mean, imagine the attention you'd get! And the pleasure of driving this!

I say: If you have the money, go for the Spyker!!!
But hey!, You might need to find out more info about these beautifull things before you sign the big check!

Click here!

Volvo T6 Roadster

What the hell is this??
Looks like a Volvo version of the Plymouth Prowler!
Why, why why???

What is the point of a European version of this?
It does look kind of fun. Like all these goofy designs. But it'll never be made.
Chrysler proved there is no market for such a car.
It is just weird that a European car maker chose to do this ! It's kind of like a Swedish hamburger.
It is called the T6 because it uses the 6 cylinder Turbo engine from the S80.

At least the name makes some kind of sense...

Fancy interiors!

I am usually not into fancy, over priced cars.
You you have to admit, there is something special about the interior of this Maserati Quatroporte.
It is just so much nicer and special than the german competition. Like the S class or the 7 series...
For not that much more money.



The Spyker is maybe the most original car out there!
This interior is just amazing!

From Holland with love...

Good details

The stuff we all like to see.


The wheel design on the new Chevy Cobalt SS is just perfect!
A classy, simple design and they chose the perfect color. No chrome!


The Chevrolet Impala just left the "ugly" bin.
It is now pretty nice looking, and an alternative to the Camry.
The front end is espacially well finished.


This is a perfect exemple of great, simple and classy design.
The door from the new Subaru Outback.


This is what the whole dash looks like.
That has to be one of the best looking interior out there. Perfect materials too.



This is the kind of detailing we need to see more often. And not only at the car show...

Discusting displays...

More proof that Auto Shows are not for kids.

I am pushing for an age limit to go to these car shows...

Even more 2005 Avalon!

The first time I saw pictures of that car, I must admit I was a little dissapointed. I was just expecting more, visually.

But that's not what the car is about.
It is about pure comfort and quality. And the more I see of it, the more these are very obvious.




Here you can see the difference between the wood trim in the Limited model (top),
and the fake alumilnum trim Touring model.


More detail on the non-navigation model (here a Touring)


And, what a back seat!!!
A perfect family car! With lots of room.
that's what American sedans used to be!

New VW Passat details

Nice seats!
But they kind of look scary to me...
I don't know why...


Just like in the Rolls! You can hide your umbrella inside the door!
Or a baseball bat, a riffle or a broom.


Finally! You can plug your computer directly. Without a power adaptor.
Or a toaster, a microwave oven, a fax machine or a blender!

That's all coming to us next summer!

2005 (!) Avalon

That's right. Toyota calls the new Avalon a 2005.
I've been calling it a 2006 for weeks now. So, to apologize, here are a couple more pictures of it.
It looks better and better....



That interior looks pretty amazing. And that's a horrible picture!
Just compare it with the all new Ford 500.
And the 500 is not that much cheaper than the Toyota.
Or compare it to any other sedan for that matter.

Four models available: XL, XLS, Touring ( a "sportier" version like the Camry SE) and Limited.
I don't think they need that many. But they also plan to double their sale numbers!

The content of the car is 75% American. And it will rise to 90% next year !

Nissan Note

Something else we might never see. Another friendly face missed.
The Note isn't for us...
Looks like a more family oriented version of the Scion Xb.
But it is much more interesting to look at.
The cool door handles inside, the reverse lights in the window outside...
Like the Xb, it is powered by a 1.5 Liter engine.
It seems to be sharing its mechanical parts with the next Renault Clio. Unless I'm wrong...
(Yeah right...)
I say "give it larger wheels and bring it over for under $15 000!"
Maybe the next Cube, due in the US, will also be based on this frame...We'll see.