new MG SUV???

Looks like MG's new Chinese owners have big plans for the old British brand.
Including this SUV...

Weird and a little bit sad....

More pictures of the new Corolla

I understand the need for some more "conservative" looking cars.
But there is no excuse for designing something that looks like it came out in 1983.. In 2007.

The Corolla has been the best selling car in the world for many years, but I hope this one isn't a hit in the US.
The only way they'll give us a nice looking one next time, is if this one is a flop.
I'm sure it drives nice and is reliable, but so is almost everything else now.

The 1.8 Liter engine now has 132hp. And the 2.4 Liter (158hp) is an option on the "sporty" XRS model.

2009 Matrix lighter side

Now with a lighter grey interior.

Chrysler kills models

According to the Detroit Free Press, Chrysler will kill the Crossfire, the Pacifica, the PT Cruiser Convertible and the Magnum.
Shame.

-The Crossfire was always too expensive for a Chrysler.
-The Pacifica was never really attractive, especially after the concept they teased us with years before.
-They never redesigned the PT Cruiser . What a shame.
They had one of the biggest hit in the modern car industry and they let it die.
-And I didn't know sales of the Magnum were so bad. I actually like it.

All these cars were actually good cars.
Just not what people wanted.

What's next? the Sebring? The Compass?

2009 US Toyota Corolla

Of course, in keeping with the Corolla tradition, it is boring.
What did you expect?

But I think this time, they've outdone themselves. This makes the 2 year old Civic look like the Starship Enterprise.
Even the Camry looks futuristic next to it....

2009 Toyota Matrix

Two versions will be available, S and XRS.
Not sure what the difference is.
These pictures are of the S version.
A slightly lighter grey interior is available.

It just looks like a conservative/slightly weird re-do of the old one.
And inside, the GPS looks like someone's cousin tried to squeeze a screen onto the dash....

More pictures of the new Audi A4

The interior is really one of the best in the class.
And the outside also seems more upscale than the current one. Even if they could have done much better.

Tough times ahead for the new C Class...

Nissan Forum Concept

Would this replace their slow selling Quest Minivan?
Is this the new front end design for all next Nissans?

We'll know much more when at the Detroit show in January...

Accord Coupe HF S Concept

In typical SEMA fashion, the Accord coupe has been covered with every vulgar add ons you can imagine.
And yet, it doesn't look as bad as it could have been.

The regular Coupe is a really good looking car, I guess i takes a lot to ruin it....

Scion Dalek xD Concept

A cool 4 door convertible version of the small Scion.
I am sure Toyota has no production plans for a 4 door convertible, but it still is a cool idea...

Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe

These are official sketches from Hyundai.
A sporty RWD coupe based on the new Genesis sedan.
We will be able to see it at the L.A show in a couple of weeks.

This pretty much looks like what we used to call the "next Tiburon".
It is very similar to the spy shots we've now seen for months.

Next Lancia Delta???

Maybe....

Kia Mesa

Looks like someone pulled the camouflage off the back.

More on the Volvo C30 5 door

The illustration looks a bit weird.
I am sure adding 2 doors to the C30 could look better than that...

Ready for a retro Celica Convertible???

The early RWD Celicas were never offered as a convertible.
This would go nicely against the Mustang and Camaro.

Chevy Suburban Diesel

A concept from the SEMA show. But it looks like this could become a production model tomorrow.
That would actually make sense to offer a Diesel Suburban.

It also looks like they used the front end and fenders from the pick up trucks.
I wonder if that's what's in store for the Suburban...

2009 Nissan Murano

Click on the title to see the whole thing.

Nissan has already said the new Murano will not have a 3rd row seat.
So it shouldn't be that much bigger.

I really hope they don't mess this one up. The current model is still one of the best looking thing on the road.

Volvo V30

or a 5 door C30.
This looks real but I'm ot sure it is.

Seems like a good idea anyway. To compete with the A3, but cheaper.

Retro Celica next?

Why not.
And make the interior retro too.
This would be great. Start over from the begining.
That's what the Celica needs.

Leave the Scion Tc for the 20 something crowd, and make the new Celica a more mature coupe. The early ones always tried to add a little luxury feel to the sporty look.
This would really be fun. A $20 000 RWD Toyota coupe.

What happened to the IS Convertible???

It seems they have been testing it for years. So what gives?

I hear they are going for a 2 piece hard top roof like on the Miata. Unlike most 4 seaters that use 3 pieces.
Maybe they had to re-think the whole thing and go for 3 pieces. Who knows...

It is now scheduled for 2009. By that time the Is will be pretty old...

Honda Diesel news

Nothing all new but still interesting.

Our Us Accord will be the Diesel opion next year on the sedan with the 2.2 Liter engine.
Later the redesigned Pilot and the Odyssey will get a new 3.0 Liter V6 diesel option.

They are also thinking of a smaller Diesel engine for the all new Fit.
This one isn't for the US. Our Fit should get the new 1.5 Liter with 120hp.

Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo

There wil be a production version of the SS Turbo for the Cobalt.
I am not sure if this is it, or some SEMA concept version.
(It does look production ready)

What the Coblat needs right now is not a Turbo, but an all new interior.

2009 Mitsubishi Galant

Just a modified version of the current model.

Not an all new one.
Which means, the "all new one" is at least 2 years away.
That will leave Mitsubishi far behind Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Mazda.
And the recent concept they've shown us doesn't even look great now...

Who is running this company???

Lexus IS-F

Looks almost classy on this picture....

Next Renault Espace

Looks just a bit more conservative, maybe.
And more upscale which is a good thing. Because the Espace isn't cheap....

More pictures of the new Citroen C5

Looks like it has the same cool steering wheel system I experienced in the C4.
This car looks great. I hope it's a big hit for them.

Too bad for us, it would have been a great car for a Citroen "return to the US"...

Even more pictures of the new Fit

(Pictures by Bernard FOURNOL)