Ford Capri coming back???

Some people seem to think so.
And Ford has come up with many 2 door concepts in the past few years.
This Auto Express illustration being based on one of them. (The Visos Concept)

With the Volvo C30 and Scirocco back on the stage, a Capri might not be a bad idea.

But don't hold your breath, even if it happens, we'll probably never see it in the US.
I'm sure Ford will find 100 reasons not to sell another good car over here....

Ford Kuga on sale

In England.

Not here, of course.

Seems that the everybody in the world thinks this is just what Ford needs in the US. Except Ford.
This would make a fantastic replacement for the old Escape. And could compete head to head with the best.

I am not even sure what they have planned for the Escape. It might just become the Crown Victoria of small SUVs...

Megane the third

I guess this is about ready to come out.

And an all new coupe will be part of the line up this time.

Smart offset frontal crash video

I am not expert, but it does look quite good.
As good or better than anything else.

I must say Smarts are getting to be really popular in Los Angeles.
I am amazed to see that many around....

2009 Ford Ka

Not sure if this is the real thing. But it sure looks like it.
I guess we'll know for sure when the new James Bond movie comes out...

More desert drive

Polo based VW SUV ?

Maybe, who knows...
Vw is actually considering selling the next generation Polo in the US.
So an SUV/Crossover/Wagon version is a good possibility.

I just hope it doesn't look like this illustration.
But I'm not really expecting anything amazing, or remotely modern looking after the Tiguan...

But they do need an inexpensive cool looking car.

2010 Prius

peter Nunn from Auto observer seems to have gather some new info about the all new 2010 Prius.

Are are some highlights:

-We'll see it first at the Detroit show next January.
-New 1.8 Liter replaces the 1.5 Liter gas engine. it will make 110hp instead of the current 75hp.
-Total power to jump from 110hp to 160hp
-Even better fuel economy
-Bigger and "more solid looking"
-Four inches longer and one inch wider
-Extended driving range of the electric only mode.
-About 13% more fuel efficient
-Sales of plug in versions to fleet buyers only by 2010. But not available at launch.(GM can now rest easy...)
-A second body style will come after launch.
-More models using the Prius name
-A larger model using a 2.0 Liter engine, or even a 3.0 Liter sold in the US as a Lexus could come out for 2010.
-Production for the new model to reach 450 000 units a year.

By the way, the picture above shows the Concept X. Which was supposed to show the design direction of the next Prius.
We'll see how the real thing end up looking like...

What do you think????

Production Chevrolet Beat caught

You can see, again, how close this will be to the concept (Green car)

I hope they bring this to the US. GM needs small cars.
To help with new fuel economy standards, they have started testing the 2.0 Liter Turbo engine in large cars. They are considering offering it as an option in the G8 and the next Impala.
They are also thinking of offering an electric only version of the Volt in California.

We'll see.... At least, they are moving forward, and trying new things.

New Daewoo/Chevrolet Nubira.

Known over here as the Suzuki Forenza.

I just hope Suzuki gets something more fun and original.
I don't think I have ever seen a Forenza on the road. (well... maybe 1 or 2...)
They need to stand out from the crowd...

Audi Q5

Just another, better picture of the interior.
Great, but like the exterior, it looks the same as other Audis.

They basically have just one design for all their models...

Desert drive

Jac Vision Concept

Another Chinese sedan. obviously inspired by the Accord.
But I think it looks much better than the Accord.

I also think it actually look better than other Honda sedans including Acuras.
This is much nicer looking than the 2009 RL..

Not sure what the new TL will look like, but after the TSX and RL, I am not expecting much.

More pictures of the new Seat Ibiza

Peugeot 308 RCZ heading for production

This might just be the 1st real competition to the Audi TT.
Peugeot has just announced the RCZ will be introduced in 2009 as a production model.
Although actual sales will have to wait the spring of 2010.

Another cool looking thing on the roads. European roads....

????

I know what you mean.

Is it a Pontiac Torent? But wait, the back says Lexus RX....

Well, you must have guesse this is just another one of these weird Chinese copies. Not all Chinese car makers are coming out with good original designs, yet.
This one is called the "Faster", by Huanghai. Even the same sounds like another brand...

A great idea.

Suzuki is making navigation standard in the 2009 SX4.

It is a 4.3 inch units and includes bluetooth.
All in a car that starts at under $16 000.

I always liked the SX4 and I hear from really happy owners.
I am not crazy about navigation systems. I would rarely need one. Especially as a $2000 option.
But as standard equipment it is great.

Let's hope they advertise this. The SX4 deserves much more attention that it's getting right now....

VW Park Assist Vision

This looks pretty amazing. And a little bit freaky.
The freaky part comes from the fact VW are not the most reliable cars...

Still, this is a pretty impressive technology.
And unlike the Toyota system, you don't have to be n the car.

VW isn't saying yet when this will be available.
So it might be a while...

More Roewe 550 pictures

A very European Chinese car.

Brilliance FRV

One more decent looking small Chinese car.
Nothing luxurious, but it sure matches the looks of most other cars in the market.

And the specs are OK: 1.8 Liter Turbo with 170hp.
On sale in China in a few months.

Amazing.

yes, it is real
No, it isn't photoshoped.

The picture tells it all; Segway meets the motorycle.
Looks like the stuff from Science Fiction movies.

Find out more by clicking on the title.

2009 US Mazda6

And it looks pretty stunning.
This is really much better looking than any of the Japanese competition.

Engines are the expected 2.5 Liter and 3.7 Liter V6.
The design is a bit different from the Euro model. It now looks like a cross between a hatch and a sedan. Even though it keeps a regular sedan trunk.

More pictures soon.