2012 Subaru Impreza

Although these are just illustrations, they do give a good idea of that a production version of their recent concept could look like.
Much better than the current version. Which didn't even look good the day it came out.

This segment of the market is really heating up.
it seems that everything is new, except the poor Corolla...

VW Bulli Concept

Basically a modern version of the cool Microbus concept from 2001 that VW never had the guts to build.
Instead we have now a Chrysler Minivan with a VW logo on it...

The new Concept is smaller too, closer to the original . It is powered by an electric motor good for 186 miles on a charge.
VW claims it can be fully charged within an hour. Not sure how... But it does sound pretty good.

Let's hope this gets a chance to be produced, electric or not. VW does need some original designs...

More 2012 Kia Rio pictures

We will be getting plenty more really soon.
So far, still a great looking little car.
With quite an upscale look to it.

We'll see...

2012 Ford B-Max

So a small Fiesta based mini, minivan is coming out after all.
Not sure if there is a market for this in the US or not. But it looks like it could be a hit in Europe...

What could have been: Nissan Fairlady Z

These pictures are from 1966, and show early designs of the first generation Z.

The bottom photo even shows what an optional hardtop would look like on a convertible version.

The actual car started production 3 years later. And ended up looking much better.
Still looking great today.

Nissan Leaf Coupe.

Sure, who wouldn't want a sportier version of the Leaf EV.

I just hope it would look a bit better than this weird looking illustration.

Although, it does have a strange retro charm to it...

2013 Mercedes CLA

It is widely rumored that the next A-Class will be available as a 4 door sedan, as well as the regular 5 door hatchback.
Mercedes is thinking about the US market for the sedan. Just like Audi is with the next A3. Which will also come as a sedan as well as a hatch.

But the small Mercedes sedan might actually be more like a compact CLS than a regular sedan.
What they call, wrongly, a 4 door coupe.

We'll see...

2013 Toyota Camry

This is, of course, just an illustration.
But I think it does look pretty good.

Something that modern is exactly what Toyota needs to compete with all these new models coming out.
The Camry now faces competition from cars that were not in most buyer's mind when the current model came out.
Like the new Sonata and Optima.
But the Malibu will be all new very soon. And a redesigned Fusion is coming up too.

I think they need something really good looking this time...

2012 Lexus GS

Let's just hope this is just an illustration.
It has an RX sedan feel to it that just doesn't work. At least for me.

Lexus and Toyota in general needs to seriously rethink their whole design philosophy.
Same goes for Honda.

Their designs have been boring for so long, that now they are going into weird directions.

Opel Zafira Concept

Not sure why this is called a concept. It looks pretty much ready for production.

A very nice looking alternative to the new Ford grand C-max and the Mazda5. I would say it looks better than both.

The interior follows the familiar Opel layout. But it seems that the console/dashboard area has been simplified .

Looking really good. And not for us...

2012 Chevrolet Cruze hatchback.

These are the 1st pictures of the real thing.
Still, not for us.

Unless we beg.

I test drove the Cruze sedan a while ago and really liked it. I think offering the hatchback version in the US could only make things better for Chevrolet.
Competing with the Mazda3, 2012 Focus and upcoming Elantra5.

2012 Kia Rio

What a good looking small car this is.
Being cheap won't be the only reason to buy one anymore.


This year and the next will turn out great for those looking for small hatchbacks in the US.
With gas prices rising, I am sure more people, even in our land of giant pick up trucks, will try to save money on gas.

More on the all new Rio very soon.

2012 Saab 9-5 Combi

One good looking wagon.

Great news for Saab.

It's just too bad the sedan is already priced so high. And this will probably have to be even more expensive....

All new Subaru coupe

This is a teaser picture of the Subaru version of the upcoming RWD Coupe from Toyota/Subaru.
Doesn't show much , but it seems quite different from the Toyota version previewed by the FT-86 concept.

Both versions will use a Subaru engine.

We'll see more very soon.

2012 VW Golf Cabrio

It is back. After 9 years.
And looking pretty good.

Cheaper than the Eos, but not sure yet if it'll be cheaper than the Beetle.
There is about $5000 difference between the Eos and Beetle convertible, so there could be room for something .

Although I think this should be cheaper than the $27 000 Beetle convertible.
VW would then have a slice of the convertible market for themselves.

Who knows...

2012 Saab 9-3

One last front end redesign for the old 9-3.
Before the all new model within a couple of years.

Not bad, looking a bit more like the 9-5.
Let's hope the next one looks really good. Because this is getting old....

Mini RocketMan Concept

As you can see, this is a pure concept. Not even close to a production car.

But Mini has said they are working on a "Smaller than Mini" model.
So we might actually see some of this design in a production model within the next 2 years.

What could be: A new Jaguar E Type

This is what a new version of the E Type could look like.
According to Swedish designer Bo Zolland.
This is not affiliated with Jaguar in any way.

Although I hear some super rich guy from Switzerland has already ordered one. Which will be powered by a 600hp V8.

Audo A3 sedan concept

We've known for a while that the next generation A3 will be available as a hatchback as well as a new sedan version.

Audi will show us a concept version of the sedan at the Geneva Auto Show.
The concept will be powered by a turbo five cylinder engine with over 400hp.

Don't expect anything like that in the production model any time soon.

The design is what to be expected from Audi: more of the same. It just looks like a small A4.
At 175 inches long, it is just about an inch longer than a Fiesta sedan , and 5 inches shorter than a Mazda3 sedan.

Quite a small car.
Could be pretty interesting....

The Electric Rolls Royce is coming.

I never though I would see this.

Rolls Royce is actually working on an electric version of the Phantom sedan.
They will be showing a concept of it at the upcoming Geneva auto show.

We'll see if it ever makes it into production, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it in a few years.

2012 Toyota Yaris Sedan

So far, we have seen the all new Yaris as a 5 door hatchback.
But this is what the sedan will look like.
Called the Vios in some other markets, including China.

Not as good looking as the sedan. But that is mostly the case when you ad a trunk to a small hatchback car.
Like the Fiesta or the Mazda2.

More pictures of the new range Rover Evoque

They are now talking about a $45 000 price for the US.
Which is expensive.

Although in line for a smaller ranger Rover.
And it does look very modern in person.

A good looking car.

2012 COpel Astra coupe

The sporty GTC version pictured here is supposed to be packing about 260hp from a turbo engine.

Pretty stunning looking car. Even though the previous generation, sold here as the Saturn Astra, was already good looking.

Maybe there is still a slight chance we could get this over here as a Buick Verano Coupe.

Who knows....

2012 Mercedes C-Class Coupe video

Sure it's not the most original design.
But I think it does work, at least for me.

I think it is quite a nice addition to the C Class.
We'll have to see if it is priced below the sedan, which would be nice.
Like the old Sport Coupe hatch.

Mazda2 test drive coming up

I am driving the new small hatch from Mazda for a few days.

Mine is a Limited model with Automatic. (Trying to get a manual but it's not available for a while)

I'll answer any questions you might have about it.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze hatchback

Caught in the streets.

As far as I know, we're not getting this. Which is really too bad.
With cars like the Mazda3 and new Focus out, GM has nothing to compete in this segment in the US.

We'll see...